A catastrophic landslide struck Tibet's Gyirong county on the China-Nepal border yesterday, causing "major casualties" and leaving several individuals missing. The disaster began on the Nepalese side before sweeping through the critical border crossing in China at around 10:30 am local time. Shocking footage revealed people racing to safety as a colossal wave of mud, water, and debris surged through Gyirong Port, engulfing roads and buildings almost instantly. Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered an "all-out" search and rescue operation in response to the disaster. The landslide cut off access to the port, disrupted power and communication lines on the Chinese side, and left Nepalese villages, roads, bridges, and hydropower infrastructure in ruins. Initial reports suggest that 384 travelers, including 291 foreign nationals, are missing, with at least 105 Indians unaccounted for. The death toll continues to rise as authorities assess the full extent of casualties and destruction. China has deployed about 200 rescuers, geologists, engineers, and additional personnel, equipped with heavy machinery, reconnaissance drones, 3D laser scanners, and life-detection equipment, to manage the crisis. Gyirong Port serves as Tibet's primary foreign trade port, handling most of China's trade with Nepal, and its disruption could impact a strategically important trade corridor between the two countries. The landslide also poses potential setbacks for the wider Trans-Himalayan connectivity network under China's Belt and Road Initiative. Stay updated on World News with the TOI app.