At least seven persons have been confirmed dead as a massive flash flood swept through the Bhotekoshi river in Rasuwa, a mountainous district in central Nepal, early Wednesday.

The flood has devastated settlements and infrastructure along the river.

At least 25 people have been rescued as of Wednesday afternoon, according to the Nepali Army spokesperson.

The Nepali Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police have been mobilised, with 14 choppers deployed for search-and-rescue operations.

Market areas and security posts are among the sites reporting major damage.

Nine Armed Police Force personnel deployed at Timure, near the Nepal-China border, have been reported missing.

Authorities are yet to confirm the cause of the floods. Officials at Nepal’s Flood Forecasting Division say they have received informal information that a landslide may have blocked a river in Tibet before the swollen river burst through.

Nepal’s Consul General in Lhasa says Chinese authorities have been unable to establish contact with security personnel deployed along the border.

Authorities are urging people near the Trishuli river to stay away from riverbanks and move to safer ground.

Authorities expect the flood’s impact to weaken downstream.