A devastating flash flood struck Nepal's Rasuwa district early Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals and significant destruction to settlements and infrastructure along the Bhotekoshi river. Emergency services are actively engaged in search and rescue operations, particularly as nine Armed Police Force personnel remain missing near Timure, close to the Nepal-China border.
Extensive Damage and Rescue Efforts Underway
The flood's impact has been widespread, affecting approximately a dozen settlements, including Syaphrubesi, Betrawati, Mailung, and Shantibazar. Syaphrubesi's market areas have reportedly sustained some of the heaviest damage. Critical infrastructure, such as the Area Police Office in Timure and police posts in Syaphrubesi and Rasuwagadhi, have also been damaged.
In response to the crisis, the Nepali government has deployed two Army helicopters to aid search-and-rescue missions. Prime Minister Balendra Shah confirmed the mobilization of the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police, with additional personnel being brought in from other districts. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has been activated, coordinating relief efforts with medical teams, Scouts, and the Red Cross. An emergency meeting at the Home Ministry is currently reviewing the situation and the government's response.
Flood Waters Move Downstream, Warnings Issued
Nepal's Flood Forecasting Division indicated that the flood originated from the Tibetan side of the border, entering the Bhotekoshi river. By Wednesday afternoon, the floodwaters had reached Galchhi in Dhading and were anticipated to arrive at Muglin within hours. Authorities have issued urgent warnings, advising residents along the Trishuli river to evacuate vulnerable settlements and market areas and seek higher ground. There are also concerns that the flooding could disrupt traffic along the Prithvi Highway and the Muglin-Narayanghat road.
Cause Traced to Heavy Rainfall in Tibet
While the exact timing and trigger of the flood remain unconfirmed, meteorologists with the Flood Forecasting Division suggest that the disaster was not caused by heavy rainfall within Rasuwa district itself. Satellite imagery has revealed significant rainfall activity on the Tibetan side of the border, indicating that the floodwaters likely originated from there.