Massive rescue in Tibet after devastating flood on the border with Nepal
China has deployed a large-scale emergency operation in Gyirong County, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region, after it was struck by a violent flash flood that has caused severe damage to infrastructure and roads. Rescue teams are working intensely in a hard-to-reach border area under adverse weather conditions.
Operational deployment and financial support
The response to the disaster has been immediate. The National Development and Reform Commission has allocated an emergency fund of 100 million yuan, equivalent to about 14 million dollars, with the goal of restoring basic services and rehabilitating collapsed infrastructure in the affected areas.
On the ground, authorities have mobilized hundreds of specialists for cleanup and rescue efforts:
- 249 fire rescue team members.
- 325 personnel from state engineering companies.
- Heavy machinery, including excavators, to clear roads blocked by layers of mud and rocks up to 1.5 meters thick.
Challenges in the disaster zone
Relief efforts are being hindered by persistent light rain and the forecast of a drop in temperatures, which could fall below 10 degrees. Gyirong, a county located at an altitude of over 4,000 meters, remains under strict control due to its border location, keeping authorities on alert for the possibility that foreign citizens may be among those affected.
The Government of Nepal has linked this event to a 4.4 magnitude earthquake that caused a landslide, blocking the course of the Bhote Koshi River and subsequently releasing a large mass of water that impacted the region.
While at least 16 deaths and hundreds of missing persons are reported on the Nepalese side, Chinese authorities continue with their assessment efforts. Although state media have confirmed the existence of victims and missing persons, the final official toll in Chinese territory remains pending updates as debris removal work progresses.
