A devastating flash flood has swept through parts of Nepal after an avalanche sent huge amounts of ice and rock into a river.
At least eight people have reportedly died, while hundreds remain missing after the disaster near the Nepal-Tibet border.
Officials said 384 tourists were reported missing following the flooding. Among them are 291 foreign visitors.
The missing tourists reportedly include people from India, the United States, the United Kingdom and Malaysia.
The Bhotekoshi River reportedly burst its banks around 9 a.m. on Wednesday.
The flooding destroyed villages, roads and parts of hydropower projects, officials said.
Several buildings and vehicles were also buried under mud in Nuwakot district.
The scale of the disaster has triggered an urgent rescue effort across affected areas. Nepali authorities have also warned residents to avoid riverbanks as the search continues.
“We have asked both India and China to help us with the rescue efforts,” government spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel said.
Officials said many of those missing could be Indian tourists travelling towards Mount Kailash in Tibet.
The sacred site attracts Hindu pilgrims from India and other parts of the world.
The Nepal flash flood has also raised fears about further flooding along major rivers.
Authorities urged residents near the Bhotekoshi, Trishuli and Narayani rivers to move away from dangerous areas.
Rescue teams are working to locate missing people and assess the damage caused by the disaster.
