MFAT is asking New Zealanders in Nepal's Rasuwa region to contact friends and family as soon as possible.

A massive flash flood and landslide has killed more than 160 people near Tibet's border.

More than 1,000 are missing, and MFAT says it's aware of five Kiwis among them - and is supporting their families.

World Vision Nepal director, Roslyn Hanson Gabriel, says they're bracing for a much higher death toll. 

"One of my colleagues, who's part of the major response in data gathering, is thinking it's definitely going to increase - we're going to see it go upwards to high hundreds, hopefully not hitting the thousands." 

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