Over 100 Indians missing after Himalayan floods hit Nepal-China trade crossing

More than 100 Indian nationals are reported missing after a sudden flash‑flood swept through a key Nepal‑China trade crossing in the Himalayas on Tuesday. The disaster, triggered by unprecedented monsoon rains that caused rivers to burst their banks, inundated the low‑lying customs area and surrounding road network, cutting off access to the border post that handles a significant portion of bilateral commerce between the three countries. Local officials said the floodwaters rose within minutes, sweeping away vehicles, cargo containers and several temporary shelters that housed migrant workers and traders.

Rescue operations have been launched by Nepal’s disaster management authority in coordination with Indian consular officials and Chinese border forces. Teams are using helicopters, high‑water boats and ground patrols to search the affected zone, while relief camps have been set up to accommodate families of the missing. The Indian embassy in Kathmandu has appealed for urgent assistance and is maintaining a register of the absent citizens, urging relatives to report any information. Authorities expect the situation to remain fluid as water levels recede, and they have warned that the crossing may remain closed for several days pending safety assessments.