As communities in Nepal and Tibet grapple with the deadly aftermath of the catastrophic mountain flash flood that swept away entire villages on Wednesday morning, His Holiness the Dalai lama shared a message of profound condolence at the sudden loss of life and ensuing devastation. The Tibetan Spiritual leader called on the authorities to take steps to prevent more such disasters.

As of the time of writing, at least 389 people were confirmed to have been killed, with almost 1,500 more still missing across Nepal and Tibet after a glacial collapse in the mountainous border region. The collapse triggered a massive flash flood that swept down the Lhende Khola river valley, engulfing entire communities in a tsunami-like deluge of water, silt, and debris, sweeping away homes and infrastructure.

The international community were racing to send aid into affected areas parts of Nepal and Tibet on Thursday, even as the authorities in Nepal warned that a lake that had formed at the site of the flood was at risk of ‌bursting.

In a message dated 27 August, the Dalai Lama expressed sadness at the loss of life and the destruction of communities, and urged that greater attention be paid to the underlying causes:

I am saddened to learn of the devastating floods in the Rasuwa region of Nepal and Kyirong in Tibet, resulting in loss of life and heavy structural damage. I pray for all those who have lost their lives, and offer my sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved and to all those affected by this tragedy.

Since this region has seen calamities in the past as well, these are certainly symptoms of a deeper underlying cause — whether climate change or other factors. I hope that appropriate follow-up measures will be taken, wherever possible, to help ensure that such disasters do not recur.

With my prayers,
Dalai Lama

Messages have begun to pour in from all around the Buddhist world. The esteemed Tibetan Buddhist teacher and Dzogchen adept Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche also shared a public statement:

As all are aware, sudden flooding recently struck along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers in Rasuwa District, causing devastating loss. With hearts heavy with sorrow, we express our deepest sympathy for those who lost their lives in this unbearable tragedy, and we offer our heartfelt condolences to the family members left behind. We also pray that those who remain missing may swiftly be found and reunited with their loved ones.

Led by the master of the teachings at this monastery, Kyabje Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, together with the reincarnation of Kyabje Urgyen Tulku Rinpoche and Kyabgön Phakchok Rinpoche, the entire community of monks and nuns of this monastery and its affiliated monasteries are offering daily prayers and dedications on behalf of the deceased.

We further pray from our hearts, calling upon the truth of the Three Jewels, that the injured may quickly recover and be freed from all suffering of body and mind, and that the people of Nepal may enjoy the glory of freedom, peace, and well-being.

In a joint statement, His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan and Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck also shared a message of concern:

Their Majesties The King and Queen are deeply saddened by the devastating floods that have struck Nepal and China, and by the tragic loss of so many lives.

The scale of the tragedy and the devastation it has left behind is heartbreaking. Their Majesties’ thoughts and prayers are especially with the families waiting for news of loved ones, and with all those whose homes and communities have been affected.

Bhutan shares in the sorrow of our neighbours. We pray for those who have lost their lives, for all those who remain missing, and for strength and comfort for all those facing the difficult days ahead. 

Amid ongoing efforts to locate victims, rescue teams including Nepalese soldiers using helicopters, drones, and search dogs, have reported recovering bodies hundreds of kilometers downstream of the disaster area in Nepal’s Chitwan District. The 826 missing people in Nepal include almost 600 tourists from India (178), the United States (65), Ukraine (53), Malaysia (51), Australia (35), the United Kingdom (33), and Canada (25). Foreign nationals from Japan, the Netherlands. South Africa, and South Korea were also listed as missing, although figures were not immediately available.

According to Chinese state media, 558 people were missing in Tibet’s Gyirong County, including 260 foreign nationals.

At the time of writing, the authorities had not yet been able to compile a complete nationality breakdown for all missing foreign nationals.

UNICEF reported that at least 17,000 children had been impacted by the disaster.
“Children across Rasuwa and Dhading saw their lives being literally washed away in front of their eyes in a very short span of time, with homes, classrooms, and medical facilities damaged. Too many lost their lives and loved ones,” said UNICEF’s Representative to Nepal, Alice Akunga. “With the death toll still rising, we know this tragedy is far from over. Children who have survived the floods now face heightened risks of disease, malnutrition, violence and exploitation.” (UNICEF)

Rescue work has been hampered by the destruction of 40 kilometers of roads, dozens of bridges, and communication infrastructure in the Himalayan region, a popular destination for trekkers and pilgrims—the border region is a major route for travelers heading to Tibet and Mount Kailash, which is revered as sacred by Buddhists, Hindus, Jains, and Bon adherents.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized: “The United Nations is mobilizing supplies and humanitarian teams and we pledge to support national efforts to deliver emergency aid and support.” (United Nations)

According to a senior foreign ministry official cited by local media, Nepal’s government has turned down offers and requests to send their international search and rescue teams to help—including from Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, the UK, and the US. The government has said that Nepal’s own security agencies can handle the operation.

“The government made the decision after its experience in the 2015 earthquake, when the influx of foreign search and rescue teams and competition among countries caused significant coordination and management issues,” the Kathmandu Post newspaper reported. (Kathmandu Post)

More than 5,000 army and police rescue personnel are reported to have joined the rescue effort, and military helicopters have been airlifting tents, food, and medicine to the hardest-hit districts.

Satellite images of the region showed that the disaster was triggered high in the Himalayas when a large section of glacier broke away, plunging from an elevation 5,200 meters to the valley floor 1,200 meters below. The avalanche blocked the Lhende River in Tibet, 20 kilometers northeast of the Nepal-China border, until the accumulated debris gave way under the weight of the water, sending a torrent crashing upon communities downstream.

Despite initial reports suggesting that the glacial collapse was triggered by an earthquake, subsequent analysis indicated that the seismic data was actually generated by the power of the glacial avalanche, which was recorded as a magnitude 5.2 seismic event.

With satellite imagery recording unusually warm conditions in the area around the collapsed glacier, some experts have pointed to climate change as being a possible contributing factor to the disaster. 

Glaciers across the Hindu Kush-Himalaya mountain range, which crosses Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan, are reported to have lost ice 65 per cent faster from 2011–20 compared with the the previous decade. In Nepal, glaciers have lost nearly a third of their ice volume in the last three decades. The retreating ice renders mountainsides increasingly unstable, with increased the potential for sudden floods.

Experts have also warned that further flooding is possible, with upstream blockages remaining in place. Officials in Nepal have urged communities along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems to seek safer ground.

Ways to help

The government of Nepal has appealed for contributions to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund, which is administered by the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers:

Contributions can also be made via the Nepal Red Cross Society and the IFRC.

In addition, many of Nepal’s embassies and consulates have issued appeals and are coordinating contributions.

See more

Condolence Message (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)
Shock and devastation remain, a day after Himalayan flood disaster (United Nations)
Deadly floods cause widespread destruction in China, Nepal (United Nations)
Nepal-Tibet floods: What happened, what caused them and who is missing? (Al Jazeera)
‘Everything is under mud’: Nepal death toll rises to 389 amid fears of new flood (BBC News)
Nearly 1,400 missing, mostly tourists, after Nepal-Tibet flash flood kills at least 356 (The Guardian)
Deadly flash flood sweeps Nepal-Tibet border, Tibetans feared among those affected (Phayul)

Related news reports from BDG

Nepal Cancels International Tibetan Studies Conference Amid Diplomatic Pressure
Buddhist Monks Arrive in Delhi to Begin Walk for Peace Across Nepal, India
Buddhist Statue Returned to its Home in Nepal
Engaged Buddhism: Tzu Chi Expands Outreach in Nepal with Great Love Village and Lumbini Campus Expansion
Dalai Lama Congratulates Nepal’s First Female Prime Minister, Who Takes Office after Days of Deadly Civil Violence