Kathmandu: At least eight people were killed and several others remain missing after a sudden cloudburst triggered a sharp rise in the Bhotekoshi River, causing widespread flooding in Nepal’s Rasuwa district near the China border on Wednesday.
Flood sweeps through settlements
The sudden surge in the river swept through areas including Timure and Syaprubesi, damaging roads, bridges and power infrastructure. Vehicles, goods and other property were reportedly carried away by the floodwaters.
Rasuwa Chief District Officer Narendra Pariyar said the market area had suffered extensive damage, although authorities were still assessing the full impact.
The flooding reportedly came from the direction of Tibet and surged through the Bhote Koshi River at around 9 am local time. Chinese state media also reported major casualties across the border in Tibet.
Roads and bridge damaged
Rasuwa, located northeast of Kathmandu and about 125 km from the Tibet border, witnessed significant destruction. Several vehicles and goods kept at the customs premises were swept away, while a recently constructed bridge was also destroyed.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has urged residents living near riverbanks in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan and Gorkha to remain on high alert and follow safety measures.
Rescue operations intensified
The Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police have been deployed for rescue and relief operations.
Two Nepal Army helicopters were sent towards areas near the Trishuli River for search and rescue operations. An MI-17 helicopter equipped with an Emergency Medical Rescue Team was also sent towards the district hospital in Trishuli.
Authorities said the full extent of the damage was still being assessed.
Flood reportedly not caused by rainfall
Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said the flooding was not caused by rainfall in Rasuwa, according to the report.
The disaster comes a year after catastrophic flooding in the Bhotekoshi River killed at least 10 people. That earlier incident was linked to the sudden draining of a previously unnoticed supraglacial lake.