The Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN), an umbrella organisation of mountain tourism entrepreneurs, has reported that pilgrims travelling to Kailash Mansarovar are facing difficulties due to the collapse of the Nepal-China Miteri Bridge near the Rasuwagadhi border point.

Nepal’s mountainous terrain is vulnerable to flash floods. Disasters have gotten deadlier in recent years in part because of changing climate patterns. Erratic rainfall, floods, landslides, avalanches and glacial lake outbursts are becoming more serious.

A mountain river swollen by monsoon rains has swept away the main bridge linking Nepal with China. The flooding Tuesday also swept away 18 people, and rescue efforts were underway.