Nepal Flood Fury: Villages Swept Away As Rescue Teams Race To Find The Missing
Kathmandu: A sudden flash flood in Nepal’s Rasuwa district has left a trail of destruction near the Tibet border, sweeping away homes, damaging bridges and roads and hitting police posts and hydropower projects. Rescue teams are searching the worst affected areas, but officials are still trying to work out how many people have been killed or remain missing.
The flood hit the Bhote Koshi River early Wednesday and badly affected Timure and Syapru Besi. The water rose quickly, catching people in the area off guard and leaving little time to get to safety.
One of the biggest concerns is the fate of nine Armed Police Force personnel stationed in Timure. They have been reported missing following the flooding. Police facilities in Timure, Syapru Besi and Rasuwagadhi were also damaged.
Officials have not yet announced a final death toll. Rescue workers are still trying to reach some areas, so the number of casualties could change as the search continues.
The flooding has caused serious damage to infrastructure as well. A key road connecting Betrawati in Nuwakot to the Rasuwagadhi border point has been damaged at several locations, with bridges washed away. Hydropower projects in the region have also reported damage.
The destruction has not stopped at Rasuwa. Floodwaters have moved downstream towards the Trishuli River, raising concerns for communities in Nuwakot, Dhading and areas closer to Muglin. Authorities have asked people living close to rivers and other risky areas to move to safer locations and avoid travelling unnecessarily.
Nepal has sent in the Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police to help with the rescue operation. Army helicopters are being used to reach people stranded in difficult to access areas, while medical and emergency teams have also been mobilised.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah has ordered security agencies to step up rescue and relief work. The government is also coordinating with disaster response agencies and other organisations to provide assistance to people affected by the flood.
The sudden flood has also raised questions about what triggered it. Officials say the water appears to have come from the Tibetan side, with satellite data showing significant rainfall there. At the same time, officials have indicated that heavy rainfall in Rasuwa itself may not have been the main reason for the sudden rise in water.
For families in the affected areas, however, the immediate priority is not the cause but finding loved ones and getting to safety.
Rescue teams are continuing their search, while authorities warn people downstream to stay alert. The exact death toll and the full extent of the damage remain unclear as rescue operations continue.
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