At least nine people have been killed and several others, including 108 Indians, are missing after a massive flash flood hit Nepal on Wednesday, washing away villages, breaking bridges and damaging project sites in the region bordering Tibet.
The flood surge through the Bothe Koshi River at around 9:00 a.m., reportedly coming from the direction of Tibet. The sudden rise in water levels caused widespread destruction in Timure in the Rasuwa district and the nearby Syafrubesi area. Vehicles were washed away, while goods and other properties were swept along with the water, visuals circulating on social media showed.
Activating emergency services, the Nepal Army deployed 14 helicopters and disaster response teams for rescue and relief operations. The Prime Minister’s Office said that the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police personnel have been deployed in Rasuwa and surrounding areas to carry out rescue and relief activities in view of the devastating floods.
Roads, hydropower facilities, electric transmission lines and substations have also reportedly been affected, officials said.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah has called for a meeting to discuss the flooding and the government’s response.
High-alert warnings have been issued for settlements along the riverbanks in Rasuwa, Luakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan districts as the flood risk rises.
Residents living in low-lying areas and along riverbanks have been advised to move to safer, higher locations immediately. People have also been urged to avoid unnecessary travel along the Prithvi Highway and riverside routes as rescue and emergency teams remain vigilant.
The district-level disaster management authorities have been coordinating with state-level officials deployed for rescue operations and emergency resources.
Last year’s deadly Bhote Koshi flood washed away a bridge linking Nepal and China and was later linked to the drainage of a supraglacial lake in Tibet.This time, villages, the Timure border market, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure have again been devastated.