Extreme weather in Asia

Landslide disaster in Nepal – 22 dead found

Heavy rainstorms have caused large, flash floods and landslides in the border area between Nepal and Tibet, reports Reuters.

According to Nepalese police, 22 people have been found dead, writes Reuters. The material damage is so great that the death toll is feared to rise. Roads, bridges and power stations have been washed away by the river and entire villages have been flooded.

“A landslide on the Nepalese side led to many dead and missing at the Gyirong border crossing in Tibet,” reports the state-run Chinese television channel CCTV.

Nearly 300 foreign tourists missing in Himalayas

At least 384 tourists, of whom 291 are foreigners, are missing after the landslide in the Himalayas on the border between Nepal and Tibet, Nepal's tourism ministry says according to AP.

It is unclear exactly how many are missing in total. Local authorities only state that it is hundreds.

Nine deaths have been confirmed, but because the material damage is so extensive, that number is expected to increase sharply. Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered a comprehensive rescue operation. In addition to China, Nepal has asked India for help on their side of the border.