Severe floods and landslides in Himalayan areas along the Nepal-China border have left about 1,500 people missing, including at least 800 foreign nationals from 28 countries. Nepal police said the death toll could exceed 165 after flash flooding inundated border settlements and valleys on Wednesday. In Nepal, 826 people are missing, while Tibet’s Gyirong County has reported another 558 missing people.

Nearly 600 of those missing in Nepal are foreign citizens. They include 177 Indians, 63 Americans, 34 Australians, 33 Britons and 25 Canadians. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said 260 of the missing people in Gyirong County are foreigners. The affected region is an important route for pilgrims and tourists travelling to Kailash-Manasarovar.

More than 5,000 army and police personnel have been deployed for rescue operations in Nepal. Food, tents and emergency supplies are being delivered by helicopter to remote areas, while neighbouring India has sent relief assistance. US geological survey officials said the event was primarily caused by tremors from collapsing glacier rock and ice, followed by landslides. The United States pledged $500,000, and the United Nations and other countries are supporting rescue and relief work.