Severe flooding triggered by seasonal rainfall has struck the Bhotekoshi River in China’s Tibet region, sweeping away the ‘Friendship Bridge’ that connects China and Nepal.
Meteorologists suspect the flood was caused by the overflow of a glacial lake in the Tibet region, as there hasn’t been significant rainfall in the past 24 hours to account for the flooding in the Kosi River basin.
At least 18 people are missing in Nepal, while Chinese state media Xinhua has reported that 11 people are missing in China.
Among those missing in Nepal are six Chinese workers and three police personnel, according to Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).
Eight electric vehicles have also been washed away, and a hydroelectric plant has sustained damage.
Due to the collapse of the bridge, trade between China and Nepal has been disrupted, Reuters reported on Tuesday (8 July).
In recent days, China has been hit by a series of flash floods and other natural disasters. The country is also expected to be struck by a seasonal storm this week, which is likely to worsen the ongoing damage.
