A catastrophic flash flood along the Nepal-Tibet border has left hundreds dead and more than a thousand missing, and one Filipino is among them. Philippine officials are coordinating with Nepalese authorities as the search continues.
What happened
A wall of ice, mud and rock collapsed into a Himalayan river on Wednesday, triggering a sudden flood that swept through villages and trekking routes near the Nepal-China border. A Reuters report quoting Nepali police put the death toll at 359, with dozens of bodies recovered downstream and more than 1,000 people still unaccounted for in Nepal and neighboring China.
The missing Filipino
The Nepal Tourism Board posted a list of 667 missing persons from 32 countries, including one from the Philippines. The Department of Tourism identified the missing Filipino as Juan Carlos Manalo, listed as part of a “trekkers society.” His sister, Chaira Manalo, has publicly asked for help in tracing his whereabouts.
The Philippine Embassy in New Delhi, which covers Nepal, confirmed Friday that one Filipino was missing. The Department of Migrant Workers reported no Filipino casualties so far, with checks still ongoing. Consul General Maria Cynthia Pelayo said the Filipino community in Nepal is safe and has been accounted for.
Could this happen in the Philippines?
A PAGASA weather specialist said a flood of this type is “unlikely” to occur here, given the different shape and size of Philippine river systems compared with the towering Himalayas. Experts note the Nepal event was a debris flow, and a similar disaster struck the Philippines in 2012.
| What we know | Status |
|---|---|
| Death toll | 359 confirmed (Reuters via police) |
| Missing | 1,000+ across Nepal and China |
| Filipinos missing | 1 (Juan Carlos Manalo, trekker) |
| Filipino casualties | None reported; checks ongoing |
| PH community in Nepal | Safe and accounted for |
How to help and stay informed
Families with relatives in the affected areas should reach out to the DFA or the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi. This comes as the Philippines itself deals with southwest monsoon rains and flooding, lahar flow warnings near Pinatubo and Taal, and class suspensions across Luzon.
