Rasuwa flood causes widespread destruction along key river corridors

A powerful flood, originating from the Tibet side of the border, has unleashed widespread destruction across several districts in Nepal, primarily along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river corridors. The deluge, which entered Nepal on Wednesday morning, has devastated settlements, markets, roads, and crucial hydropower infrastructure.

The floodwaters swept downstream from the Timure area in Rasuwa district, impacting Nuwakot and Dhading, with effects extending further into Gorkha and Chitwan. While the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, initial reports indicate significant destruction in numerous towns and settlements. Rescue operations and damage assessments are proving difficult due to disrupted access and the sheer force of the floodwaters.

Timure, a settlement near the Nepal-China border, was among the hardest-hit areas. Houses, shops, vehicles, and market goods were washed away. The infrastructure around the Rasuwagadhi customs point suffered severe damage, and the flood disrupted vital road access. Similarly, Syafrubesi experienced extensive damage, with houses, hotels, shops, roads, and a police post destroyed or swept away. Tourist buses and other vehicles were also lost, and the main road connecting Syafrubesi to Timure is impassable, leaving tourists stranded.

Local residents described the flood's force as extraordinary, likening it to a sudden, massive release of water from upstream. Mailung and surrounding areas also suffered extensive damage, with houses swept away and roads rendered inaccessible. Farmland and crops were eroded and destroyed. Security personnel rescued several injured individuals, who were airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment. The flood continued its destructive path downstream to Betrawati in Nuwakot and Trishuli Bazaar, causing further damage to homes, roads, bridges, and inundating agricultural land with mud and debris.

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Local residents described the force of the flood as extraordinary, saying it appeared as though a huge volume of water had suddenly been released upstream.