A catastrophic glacial collapse and massive flash floods along the Nepal-China border have left at least 165 people dead and 961 others missing, including hundreds of foreign tourists and pilgrims, officials said Thursday.

According to Chinese state media, mudslides in Tibet triggered by the glacial collapse killed 3 people and left 558 missing.

Reports noted that 260 of the missing individuals in Tibet are foreigners, while two local villagers have successfully been rescued.

In Nepal, police confirmed at least 162 deaths resulting from Wednesday's thundering torrents, which severely disrupted travel across steep valleys that serve as vital economic lifelines and travel corridors.

Nepali authorities reported 403 people missing, which includes 341 foreigners.

Detailing the nationalities of the missing, tourism board spokesperson Sunil Sharma stated that the missing individuals include 133 Indian pilgrims traveling to Tibet's sacred Mount Kailash, 47 Americans, 34 Australians, 33 Britons, and 24 Canadians.

Meanwhile, the US State Department confirmed that it is aware of the affected American citizens.

Drone footage captured widespread devastation, revealing destroyed roads and buildings completely buried beneath raging, cement-colored water.

In Nepal's hard-hit Nuwakot district, thick layers of mud slathered the second floors of structures, debris hung precariously from tree branches and power wires, vehicles were submerged, and stunned survivors were left caked in mud.

With little warning or time to flee, local residents were caught completely off guard by the sudden disaster.

"When I reached Dhunge bazaar, in half an hour, the flood came and damaged all the market. People were preparing to go to office then," recounted resident Shoyam Rajbhandari. "How many people are missing or dead, we don’t know."

Source: AP