Nepal floods live: Girl, 13, among 33 Brits missing as death toll hits 160

Nepal floods live: Girl, 13, among 33 Brits missing as death toll hits 160 A 13-year-old girl is among 33 British tourists missing in Nepal after an avalanche led to major flooding along the Bhotekoshi River - with hundreds of tourists now declared missing, presumed dead At least 160 people are dead, and more than 550 are now missing after a horror mudslide in Tibet razed everything in its path, from entire towns to massive power stations. Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development said river water levels rose by up to nine metres in 30 minutes at the height of the flash flood on Wednesday. According to Chinese authorities, 558 people are missing in total as rescue efforts continue following the Wednesday disaster. A total of 33 Britons are included in that tally, with a 13-year-old British girl thought to be the youngest UK citizen lost when disaster struck the tourism hotspot. Freak floodwaters mowed down both locals and tourists alike, with horror footage on social media capturing entire families being swept away by the deluge. According to the Red Cross, "entire villages and market areas" have been wiped out by the mass of water and mud, which has flattened all in its path along the Bhotekoshi River. That river system has now swelled, prompting fears a second flash flood may occur. This is a breaking news story. Keep up with the latest updates in our live blog below. Key Events Climate experts believe the horror floods in Nepal were triggered by a glacier avalanche.The Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development reports water levels rose by nine metres within only 30 minutes as floodwaters bore down on locals, tourists, towns, and infrastructure.World Vision's Dhruba Gurmachhan explained the harrowing level of devastation to Australian broadcaster, the ABC.[Staff of one of our partner organisations] can't even drive motorbikes to access the road, because roads have been collapsed and bridges have been collapsed, and they cannot access those kind of areas," he said, adding both internet and electricity has been cut off, making all communication with those in the region even tougher.He added: "We have been struggling to identify the information of exactly what is happening right at the moment. This is a pretty hard-pressing and terrible situation in Nepal." A journalist reporting from ground zero of the Nepal flooding disaster has told Nepali media network NewsRadio that "several hundreds more are likely dead". Republica Daily news editor Kosh Raj Koirala told the Nepal-based radio station that "people were caught off guard" after an avalanche blocked a local river in a deep gorge creating a sort of dam. But, once avalanche debris cleared away naturally, the large volume of water that been building up since the blockage surged out and down the mountain. "Once that was opened, a huge water flow suddenly started. There were hundreds of Indian pilgrims also trying to cross the border.," he said. The Nepali news editor added that a Chinese customs building had been washed away in the deluge. At least 15 power plants have also been damaged, either partially or completely destroyed. Rescuers are frantically searching for dozens of British nationals among those missing and feared dead in Nepal following catastrophic flash floods that have claimed more than 150 lives.Nepal Police confirmed on Wednesday evening that 157 bodies had been retrieved so far following the devastating flooding in Nepal's Rasuwa region, which shares a border with China's autonomous region of Tibet.Nepal's tourism board also confirmed the number of those now declared missing, with the toll rising from 384 to 403. Of the missing, 33 of those are UK citizens. A total of 341 foreign nationals remain unaccounted for, with the border region a tourism hotspot for Nepal. Hundreds of people are missing and more than 150 have been killed in horror flash floods in Nepal. Villages have been razed along the Nepal-Tibet border, with hundreds of foreign nationals missing after mudslides and flash flooding hit Nepal’s Nuwakot region with little to no warning. As per Nepal's tourism board, 100 of those reported missing are from India, 54 from the US, and 33 are from the UK. A further hundred or so people are missing from Nepal itself. The death toll is expected to rise as the situation continues to unfold as authorities scramble to make sense of what led to the shock deluge. Rescue operations continue. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) says a seismic event recorded near the Nepal-China border on Wednesday morning was not an earthquake, but a “glacial collapse and debris flow”. The event happened at 8.37am local time and was initially reported as a magnitude 4.4 earthquake. The USGS said further analysis of seismic data and satellite imagery showed “no earthquake had occurred”, and that the glacial collapse and debris flow caused “subsequent catastrophic impacts downstream”. A tour operator says the last contact with guides accompanying a group missing after the Nepal floods was at 8.40am, when their phones suddenly went offline. Kumar Adhikari, manager of Alpine Eco Trek, told the Press Association the group had been on a nine-day tour to Mount Kailash and was crossing into Tibet from Nepal when the flooding struck. He said the group would have been inside Tibet’s immigration office when contact was lost. “We were hoping that inside it was safe,” he said. “But later the video came from China’s government which (showed) even Tibet’s side was hit by the flood.” Mr Adhikari said he had received “thousands” of missed calls from families in the UK and had been in contact with the British consulate, forwarding copies of his British clients’ passports. The flash floods caused rivers to swell their banks and spread thick mud across populated areas, burying houses and creating difficult conditions for rescuers. Kalpana Malla, from Nepal’s Nuwakot district, told BBC News: “My family members were swept away by the flood in front of my eyes.” Ms Malla said her father, mother, sister and her sister’s children were all swept away by the floods.She added: “They could not escape the flood; there was no chance at all. “This flood took everything, but my son and I climbed the rooftop of a house and survived, but couldn’t explain how.” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has described the flash floods along Nepal’s Bhotekoshi River as “absolutely devastating”. Three British men aged 65, 64 and 52, and seven women aged 44, 47, 51, 60, 63, 63 and 65 are among those missing in Nepal, according to travel logs obtained by the Press Association. Their names and further details have not been released. Nepal police previously confirmed that 33 British nationals remain unaccounted for. New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has urged its nationals in Nepal to follow advice from local authorities, including any evacuation orders. A spokesperson said: “All New Zealanders in Nepal should follow the advice of local authorities at all times, including any evacuation orders. “New Zealanders in Nepal should also let their family and friends know that they are safe when they are able to.” The country is still trying to establish whether any New Zealand nationals are missing following the disaster. Officials have warned people across a number of districts to stay away from the banks of the Bhote Koshi, Trishuli and Narayani rivers. Police in Nepal say 157 bodies have now been recovered. The force gave the following breakdown by area: - Rasuwa – 3 - Nuwakot – 13 - Dhading – 27 - Chitwan – 64 - Gorkha – 19 - Tanahun – 9 - Nawalparasi East – 22 Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the Government will do “everything we can” to support British nationals affected by the flash floods in Nepal. He said: “These scenes emerging from along the Nepal-China border are devastating. My thoughts are with all those affected, including the families and loved ones of British nationals missing in this tragedy. “We will do everything we can to support British nationals impacted in the region and are in touch with the relevant authorities to offer support. “I urge British nationals in the region to follow guidance from the local authorities and follow our travel advice.” - At least 95 people have died following flash floods in Nepal. - The number of people reported missing has risen to 403, including 33 Brits, according to local media citing the Nepal Tourist Board. - Of those unaccounted for, 203 are male and 200 are female. A tour operator earlier said a 13-year-old British girl was among those missing. - The flooding has caused widespread damage to villages, roads and hydropower projects near the Nepal-Tibet border and along the Bhotekoshi River. - Residents across several districts have been warned to stay away from the banks of the Bhotekoshi, Trishuli and Narayani rivers. The number of British nationals reported missing following the flash floods in Nepal has risen to 33, according to local media. The Nepal Tourist Board reportedly said 403 people are now unaccounted for, up from 384 earlier, including 203 men and 200 women. Local media reports said at least 95 people have died. At least three people have been killed and 265 are missing after a mudslide in Gyirong, Tibet, according to Chinese state media outlet CCTV. The figures were reported as of 8pm local time, with rescue efforts continuing in the area. The Nepal-China border was also hit by deadly flooding in July last year, when the Bhote Koshi river burst its banks. Nine people were killed and 24 were reported missing as the flood washed away the “Friendship Bridge” linking Nepal and China, disrupting trade and transport for months. The Bhote Koshi flows from Tibet into Nepal’s Trishuli river, where Wednesday’s flash flood struck. Last year’s disaster was triggered by the draining of a supraglacial lake in Tibet, according to a regional climate monitor. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has urged Britons in Nepal to follow local authority advice, as 12 UK nationals are feared missing after a flash flood. The number of people killed in the flash floods in Nepal has now risen to 95, Nepalese police have told Reuters. In a joint statement with Australia, the EU, Finland, France, Norway and Switzerland, the UK embassy in Nepal said: “We are deeply saddened by the devastating flooding in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts and surrounding areas. “Our thoughts are with all those affected by this disaster. “We express our solidarity with the people of Nepal during this difficult time. “We encourage all those in affected areas to follow the guidance of local authorities and official safety advisories as the situation continues to evolve.” A 13-year-old girl is among the 12 Brits missing following a flash flood in the Rasuwa region of Nepal, the tour operator leading the excursion told the Press Association. Alpine Eco Trek, which offers guided tours and expeditions in Nepal, confirmed that 12 British nationals on its tour across the Nepal-Tibet border were missing on Wednesday. The country’s tourism board has confirmed they are among the 384 people missing in total. Ram Kumar Adhikari, the manager of Alpine Eco Trek, said two Irish nationals and four South African nationals who were also on the excursion are believed to be missing. Speaking to the Press Association from the affected area, Mr Kumar Adhikari said there was “not much info to share at the moment, but yes we have 12 British citizens (supposed) to make entry this morning”. The age of the missing British citizens ranges from 13 to 65, according to travel logs. A video clip shows rescue workers helping people from a flood-hit building in the wake of today’s devastating events. The video also shows crews using vehicles and helicopters as part of their rescue efforts. An update from the Bagmati Province Police Office has put the death toll from the catastrophic flash floods at 31. Police figures confirm that alongside the 31 casualties, 93 people have sustained injuries, according to local news outlets. Army and police officers have reportedly rescued 93 people from settlements along riverbanks. Police in Nepal have said 18 people have been confirmed dead following the flash floods. A statement said one man was found dead in Rasuwa, seven people in Nuwakot, six in Dhading and four in Gorkha bringing the total to 18 by 15:45 local time (10:00 UK time). CCTV footage shows people fleeing in terror before a wall of water slams into buildings in Gyirong Port on the Tibetan side of the border. Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out search and rescue efforts to save people who are missing after a mudslide in Nepal near the border with Tibet caused casualties. State media in China, which controls Tibet, said there are significant casualties on both sides of the border. According to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency, president Xi instructed authorities to prioritise the search and rescue of missing people, immediately evacuate those at risk to safe locations and provide prompt medical treatment to the injured to minimise casualties. Speaking at Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal’s capital Kathmandu, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung said the government's priority was to save lives and rescue citizens. He added that all helicopters have been mobilized to complete maximum rescue work before nightfall, while private flights have been stopped, with the focus on rescuing as many people as possible. Mr Gurung said that a glacial dam had burst and caused severe flooding, which swept away settlements, adding that it would take more time to fully assess the damage. He urged citizens stranded in flood-affected areas to light a fire in a safe place and signal with smoke to attract the attention of rescue teams. Nepal's foreign minister Shishir Khanal has told parliament that “huge damage” has been done on both sides of the border following an earthquake which hit at 8:37am local time. The districts of Rasuwa and Nuwakot were the worst affected areas of Nepal. So far, 26 police personnel, nine armed police personnel and 44 military personnel are missing as well as a number of officials from customs and immigration. Roads, bridges, communications and hydroelectric power have all been knocked out in the flash floods, Mr Khanal said. Search operations are under way on both sides of the border between Tibet and Nepal and 12 people have been rescued so far, the BBC reports. The flood struck Rasuwa to the north of Nepal's capital Kathmandu and there have also been reports of ‘significant casualties’ on the Tibetan side of the border. The Bhote Koshi river flows from Tibet to Nepal and areas downstream from the existing scenes of devastation are reportedly on high alert. Local tourism businesses have provided data on the missing visitors, the Nepal Tourist Board has said. According to information from tourism agencies, 92 of the missing tourists who had travelled through the Trekkers Society and 71 who used Samrat Tour and Travels are unaccounted for. Similarly, 55 people associated with Leaf Holidays and 52 with Himalayan Glacier, among others, are also unaccounted for, according to the board. The Tourism Board said they were working with local officials, security agencies and trekking guides to verify the details, while search and rescue operations in the affected areas were being intensified.