Nepal Flash Flood: Bhote Koshi River Swells, Rasuwa Devastated; 1,000 Feared Swept Away

Kathmandu: A massive flash flood swept through Nepal’s northern Rasuwa district on Wednesday morning, causing widespread destruction in areas close to the Tibet border and prompting authorities to put several downstream districts on high alert.  

The flood struck the Bhote Koshi River at around 9 am local time. Officials said the surge appeared to have come from the direction of Tibet. The sudden rise in water badly affected Timure and Syafrubesi, with vehicles, goods and other property washed away, according to the Nepal Army. 

The scale of the flooding is still being assessed, while rescue teams have been deployed across the affected areas.

Timure, Syafrubesi bear the brunt of the flood

Rasuwa Assistant Chief District Officer Dhruva Prasad Adhikari stated that the floods was exceptionally large, causing major damage to both communities. Rasuwa Chief Customs Officer Rajendra Dhungana stated that several vehicles and products held on the customs premises were carried away. A recently built bridge was also destroyed in the flooding.

Rasuwa, located northeast of Kathmandu, is approximately 125 kilometers from the Tibetan border. Rescue teams face additional challenges due to the steep terrain and infrastructure damage. Preliminary estimates indicate that approximately 1,000 individuals may have been swept away. However, the statistic has not been formally confirmed, and authorities have yet to determine the full number of casualties.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRM) has urged individuals living near riverbanks in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitawan, and Gorkha to remain vigilant and take essential precautions till further notice.

Army sends helicopters as search for survivors begins

The Nepalese government has moved fast to bolster rescue efforts. According to the Prime Minister's Office, forces from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police have been deployed to Rasuwa and surrounding districts to assist with rescue and relief operations.

A high-level meeting is also being held to examine the situation and determine next steps. The Nepal Army has dispatched two helicopters to locations around the Trishuli River to assist with search and rescue operations. An MI-17 helicopter carrying an Emergency Medical Rescue Team has also been dispatched to the district hospital in Trishuli

Officials are still gathering information on the flood's devastation, and a full assessment of casualties and property damage is pending.

Why did the Bhote Koshi rise so suddenly?

The floods sparked questions about what caused such a quick surge. According to Nepal's Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Rasuwa's floods was not caused by rainfall. The development is especially remarkable given that the Bhote Koshi region experienced another catastrophic flood barely a year ago. That calamity killed at least ten individuals and was caused by the rapid drainage of a previously unnoticed 'supraglacial' lake.

For the time being, authorities are concentrating on locating anyone who may have been carried away, supporting affected areas, and determining the exact origin and scope of Wednesday's rapid floods. More information is expected as rescue workers reach the hardest-hit areas and damage assessments are conducted.