According to the Nepal Tourism Board, 291 foreign nationals are among the missing. These include more than 100 Indians, 17 Malaysians, 12 British citizens, as well as nationals from South Africa, the United States, Australia, and the Netherlands. Most of the tourists were traveling to the sacred site of Mount Kailash and Mansarovar in Tibet, a popular pilgrimage destination for Hindus and Buddhists .

The devastating floods struck suddenly, catching travelers and locals off guard. Rescue and search operations are currently underway in the affected areas, with officials warning that the numbers may change as rescue operations progress and more information becomes available .

Authorities have confirmed that rescue teams have been dispatched to the affected regions, and additional aid is being sent. However, the remote and rugged terrain is hampering rescue efforts, causing delays in reaching isolated areas .

It is noteworthy that previous monsoon rains and glacial lake outbursts have caused severe flooding in the Nepal-Tibet border regions in the past. Experts attribute these increasingly frequent floods to the effects of climate change, which has accelerated glacial melting and destabilized glacial lakes in the Himalayas .

The Nepal government has appealed to the international community for assistance in rescue and relief operations. Meanwhile, families of the missing are anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones as search efforts continue in challenging conditions.