Nepal flash floods: What caused the devastation on Tibet border?

At least 33 British nationals are missing along with hundreds of foreign tourists after severe flash floods swept through villages along the Nepal-Tibet border.

Police confirmed that the bodies of at least 95 victims have been recovered following the disaster.

Dramatic footage captured a torrent of water breaking riverbanks, destroying bridges, houses and infrastructure across communities situated beside the Bhotekoshi River.

Here is a look at what caused the calamity, and where things stand now.

What happened?

Torrential floods swallowed roads, bridges, houses, ⁠and power projects in the border areas of Nepal, and triggered a mudslide that hit Gyirong Port, a major land crossing with neighbouring Tibet, cutting roads, communications, and power links to the area.

Dozens of people have also been injured.

What caused the calamity?

It is suspected that an earthquake ​struck ⁠the region and triggered an ice-rock avalanche on the Lhende Khola river in Nepal, causing the floods.

The river runs through both Nepal and Tibet.

Are any foreigners missing?

Officials in Nepal said 403 people, including 341 foreign nationals were reported missing.

Sunil Sharma, a tourism board spokesperson, said 133 were from India on pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet, a sacred site for Hindus. Also missing were 47 from the United States, 34 from Australia, 33 from the Britain and 24 from Canada, he said.

Eight South Koreans working on a hydropower plant were also unaccounted for. The other missing included 17 Malaysian nationals, four South ‌Africans, and one person from the Netherlands.

At least 62 missing Nepali citizens were among hundreds of locals trekking in the Gosaikunda lake in Rasuwa, coinciding with the local festival of Janai Purnima on Friday, Sharma added. Nepal police spokesperson Abi Narayan Kafle told The Associated Press that at least 28 police officials were missing.

Has the danger passed?

Authorities have warned that a second flood may occur since a blockage is still lodged upstream on the Lhende Khola river.

Flood alerts have also been issued in the Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, which border Nepal, since several rivers flow down the Himalayas into their plains.

What is the situation now?

Police and military personnel were engaged in rescue efforts, although officials have said rescue helicopters would not be able to land in the affected areas until the waters recede.

People living in low-lying regions were being moved to safer places, and those along the river have been advised to remain alert.

How is the rescue effort progressing?

China has ‌deployed at least 574 rescuers ⁠to the land crossing but the flood sediment is posing a ⁠challenge.

Other countries have also offered to help. Giant neighbour India said it was coordinating closely ‌with Kathmandu on rescue ​and relief efforts. South Korea plans ‌to send a rapid-response team comprising government ​officials and fire and police personnel.

Additional reporting by AP.