Rasuwa flood death toll climbs to 22 as dozens remain missing

The death toll from a devastating flash flood in Nepal's Rasuwa district and neighboring areas has climbed to 22, as dozens of people remain missing. The disaster has severely disrupted communications and complicated ongoing rescue efforts. Among the missing are 32 security personnel from the Nepal Police and Armed Police Force in Timure, Rasuwa. Additionally, 60 individuals associated with the 20-megawatt Langtang Khola Hydropower Project are out of contact. Project promoter Bijay Mohan Bhattarai reported that 25 staff, including engineers, drivers, and kitchen personnel, along with 35 workers inside a tunnel, have been unreachable since Wednesday morning. The hydropower project was nearing completion and was scheduled for testing in two days. Fifteen employees of the Rasuwa Customs Office in Timure are also missing, according to the chief of the office. The Nepali Army has rescued 88 people, with 13 requiring hospitalization in Kathmandu and others moved to local safe locations. Rescue operations involve 12 helicopters, but operations have been repeatedly disrupted by adverse weather conditions, making it difficult to land in affected areas and transport supplies or injured individuals. Home Minister Sudan Gurung and Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadak Raj Paudel are coordinating rescue and relief flights from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Despite the challenges, 29 private and six military helicopter flights have been made to the flood-hit areas, with many returning with injured passengers.

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There were 25 people, including engineers, drivers and kitchen staff, and another 35 were working inside the tunnel. We have not been able to contact them since morning.