Flash floods cause casualties and destruction in Nepal and Tibet

Several people were confirmed dead and many more a missing after a flash flood swept through remote valleys in Nepal and Tibet on Wedensday.

The floodwaters washed away villages, damaged bridges and destroyed electrical infrastructure.

"There is devastation everywhere we look," ‌Tula ​Bahadur BK, a health worker in Rasuwa district, told Reuters.

"The settlements next to the river have been completely swept away. Five of my own relatives are missing."

At 8 people were killed in Nepal while Chinese authorities also reported that a mudslide caused "major casualties" on the other side of the border in Tibet.

A Nepali police spokesperson told Germany's DPA news agency that dozens of personnel were missing.

"So far, we only have confirmation of 26 police personnel who remain missing in the flood," they said.

"We also have missing information of government revenue officials, hydropower workers among others. But we are still collecting the data.

Major rescue operations underway

Nepal dispatched more than a dozen rescue helicopters to the mountainous Rasuwa region, but floodwaters were too high for the helicopters to land.

Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah said the military and police were assisting with rescues.

"Instructions have been given ... to move ​the people living in the lower areas ⁠to safer places," he said. "People along the river are advised to exercise extra caution and remain alert."

Chinese President Xi Jinping also ordered an "all out" rescue effort.

He said "the most urgent task is doing everything possible to search for and rescue the missing people... quickly treat injured people and minimize casualties to the greatest extent possible", according to Chinese state media.