Goa, Aug. 27 -- A catastrophic flash flood that swept through parts of Nepal near the China border has killed more than 170 people and left hundreds unaccounted for, triggering one of the country's largest search-and-rescue operations in recent years.

The disaster struck on Wednesday after a massive surge of water and debris tore through the Bhote Koshi River corridor in Rasuwa district. The flooding devastated settlements, roads, bridges, security posts and hydropower facilities before the waters travelled downstream into other parts of Nepal.

Nepalese authorities said the death toll had climbed sharply as additional bodies were recovered from several districts, including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan, Gorkha, Tanahun and Nawalpara...