Flash flood in Nepal washes away villages, power projects near Tibet border

A ⁠massive flash flood ⁠in the Himalayan nation of Nepal ⁠washed away villages while damaging roads, bridges and power projects in a region bordering Tibet, authorities said on Wednesday, as they warned against the risk of casualties.The areas of Syapru Besi and Timure in the mountainous district ‌of Rasuwa, with a population of about 50,000, were severely affected, officials said, urging those living on the banks of the Bhotekoshi River to seek higher ground.Videos shared by police and others on social media showed torrents of muddy water crashing through mountain valleys in the district.“We do not exactly know the extent of damage, but the flood is big, and it could have damaged many settlements,” Nepal police spokesman Abi Narayan Kafle said. “We have alerted people who are staying near the riverside to relocate … and deployed all our resources.”“We have reports of villages and infrastructure project sites being washed away,” district administrator Narendra Pariyar said, adding that no immediate estimates of casualties or property losses were available.“There could be heavy casualties or loss of property. But I cannot say ‌for sure now.”