Disaster in Nepal: the most shocking photos and videos of the flood that left dozens dead and missing

The sudden mass of water reached the Bhote Koshi River from the Tibetan area around 9:15 local time (3:30 GMT) and hit the towns of Timure, Rasuwagadhi and Syabrubesi with special force, according to official sources.

Markets, roads and hydroelectric works in the Nepalese district of Rasuwa, bordering Tibet, were devastated by the flood, as well as villages submerged in mud where destruction abounded.

Authorities have reported at least 55 deaths, while trying to determine the whereabouts of almost 400 people who remain without contact and could have been trapped by the waters, including 291 foreign travelers.

A video broadcast on the media and social networks showed The moment a crowd runs as the flood approaches Jilong Port a land border crossing between Tibet and Nepal.

A brutal mass of water carries away dozens of vehicles, including buses parked in a parking lot, while debris flying into the air and a huge cloud of dust can be seen.

The authorities, who are evaluating the extent of the damage, have preliminarily attributed the event to an earthquake that occurred at 8:37 (2:52 GMT) that produced a large landslide that blocked the river, which would have caused the flood.