Nepal Flash Flood: California Residents Among Hundreds Missing After Disaster at Nepal-China Border
- National Weather Service — CA Alerts — current flood watches/warnings for your area
- Cal OES Emergency Alerts — state guidance on flood safety and evacuation
A massive flash flood has slammed the Nepal-Tibet border, killing at least 31 people and leaving hundreds more missing, with U.S. tourists counted among those still unaccounted for, according to early reports. California residents with family or friends traveling in the region are scrambling for information as the death toll is expected to rise.
Related: Silver Alert Los Angeles: Multiple Missing Elderly Residents, Including Culver City and South LA Cases · Vitruvias Therapeutics Thyroid Tablet Recall: What California Residents on Levothyroxine Need to Know
At least three U.S. tourists are among the hundreds still missing following the disaster, per reports from People.com and CNN. Video footage circulating online shows the sheer scale of the flooding along the Nepal-China border, with rushing water overwhelming the area in what the BBC described as a catastrophic event. The full scope of casualties hasn't been confirmed yet, and numbers are still coming in.
This is a developing story. Details, including the exact number of missing and confirmed dead, may change significantly in the hours ahead.
What We Know Right Now
The flood hit the Nepal-Tibet border region and triggered widespread searches for missing travelers. At least 31 deaths have been confirmed so far. Hundreds of people remain unaccounted for, and rescue operations are underway, though the remote terrain makes that effort extremely difficult, according to early reports.
See also: BAKERSFIELD PD SEARCHING FOR MISSING 17-YEAR-OLD · BAKERSFIELD POLICE SEARCH FOR MISSING 17-YEAR-OLD
The U.S. and California Connection
Three U.S. tourists are confirmed missing, according to People.com, which is why this story is resonating hard in California right now. Nepal is a major destination for American trekkers and adventure travelers, and the Himalayan border region draws visitors year-round. If you have a loved one traveling in Nepal, the U.S. State Department's emergency line is the fastest way to try and get information.
What to Do If You Have Family in the Area
The State Department's 24-hour hotline for American citizens in crisis overseas is 1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S.). You can also check the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) if your family member was registered before traveling. Nepal's remote border geography is making search-and-rescue operations slow, so patience, as brutal as that is, may be necessary while teams work the area.