New Delhi: India on Wednesday dispatched the first batch of relief material to Nepal after massive flash floods swept through the Himalayan state. About 157 people were killed and over 750, including 133 Indian nationals, remain missing after the massive flash flood, which originated in Tibet swept through central Nepal on Wednesday, destroying several towns and villages, washing away critical bridges, and crippling a dozen hydropower projects.
Nepal foreign minister Shisir Khanal told Parliament that an earthquake hit the Tibet region at 8:37 am (local time) and the flash floods were reported three minutes later, suggesting the tremors may have caused a glacial outburst which triggered the floods. The flood surged through the Bhote Koshi river affecting Rasuwa and Dhading districts bordering Tibet, officials said.
