An earthquake in Nepal prompted a cascading disaster involving an avalanche and flash floods, according to Nepal's foreign minister, with significant damage reported across infrastructure and personnel losses in both Nepal and China.

A seismic event struck Nepal at approximately 08:37 local time, setting off a chain of natural disasters across the region. According to Nepal's Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, who addressed parliament with preliminary information, the initial earthquake triggered an avalanche, which subsequently caused flash flooding in affected areas.

The cascading effects have resulted in substantial personnel losses. Khanal reported that 26 police officers, nine armed police personnel, and 44 military personnel remain missing. Additionally, officials from customs and immigration departments are among those unaccounted for. Verification of these figures is still ongoing, as response teams continue their assessment.

The disaster has inflicted widespread damage to critical infrastructure across the region. Roads, bridges, communication networks, and hydropower facilities have all sustained significant harm. The districts of Rasuwa and Nuwakot were identified as experiencing the most severe impact from the events.

The disaster has not been confined to Nepal alone. Khanal noted that China is also experiencing considerable damage from the incident. Nepal has initiated coordination efforts with Chinese authorities to address the cross-border implications of the disaster. Officials have emphasized that teams remain actively engaged in verifying the full extent of the damage and assessing ongoing risks in the affected areas.