Nepal briefs diplomats on Bhotekoshi flood devastation

Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal described the Bhotekoshi flood as a “Himalayan tsunami” while briefing Kathmandu’s diplomatic community on the disaster and the government’s response.

The flood struck Rasuwagadhi, on the Nepal-China border, on the morning of August 26. Water, mud and debris surged downstream within minutes, causing widespread destruction. The flooding moved from Rasuwa through the Trishuli River and into the Narayani river system, affecting communities and critical infrastructure in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan.

Khanal said the government’s first priorities were saving lives, conducting search and rescue, evacuating people to safer areas, providing medical treatment and delivering relief. More than 21,000 personnel from the Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force have been deployed, alongside government agencies, health workers, emergency responders, volunteers and local communities.

The briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs included ambassadors, diplomatic mission representatives and officials from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and United Nations. Khanal said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority and the Cabinet held emergency meetings immediately after the disaster to mobilise national resources.

The Foreign Ministry has also focused on foreign nationals affected or reported missing. It is coordinating with disaster authorities, police, the Nepal Tourism Board, Nepali missions abroad and families. An emergency operations centre and overseas missions are helping relatives obtain verified information, while the government investigates how the disaster unfolded with assistance from technical experts.

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I would describe this catastrophic flood as a Himalayan tsunami, because we have not experienced anything like this in recent memory.