Kathmandu/New Delhi: The death toll from the massive flash floods that swept through central Nepal on Wednesday rose to 72, AP reported, while nearly 500 people, including at least 105 Indians, were reported missing, officials said.

The flash flood, which originated in Tibet and surged through the Bhote Koshi River at around 9 am local time, affected Rasuwa and Dhading districts bordering Tibet before spreading to Nuwakot and Chitawan.

Security officials said 46 bodies had so far been recovered from the affected areas.

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According to Rajendra Prasad Dhamala, spokesperson at the Bagmati Province Police Office, 18 bodies were recovered from Chitawan, 16 from Dhading, 11 from Nuwakot and one from Rasuwa.

The flooding damaged at least four permanent bridges and several temporary bridges, disrupting connectivity across the affected districts.

At least 93 people have been rescued from different locations, Dhamala said. Of those rescued, 30 are undergoing treatment at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu.

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The missing include at least 105 Indians and 37 non-resident Indians (NRIs), with many of them believed to have been travelling towards Tibet for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs said the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu was coordinating with the Nepalese government to facilitate the rescue and relief of Indian nationals affected by the disaster.

The embassy had earlier issued emergency phone numbers for people seeking assistance or information concerning Indians affected by the flash floods.

"Embassy of India in Nepal is closely coordinating with Government of Nepal for the early rescue and relief of Indian nationals affected by today's flash floods in Nepal," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.

The flash floods caused widespread destruction across several districts, with authorities continuing search-and-rescue operations amid difficult conditions.