Rasuwa Flood in Nepal Kills 165, Hundreds Missing Near China Border

A devastating flash flood swept through Nepal's northern Rasuwa district on Wednesday, claiming at least 165 lives and leaving hundreds unaccounted for. The disaster originated near the Nepal-China border, unleashing a powerful surge of mud, water, and boulders that inundated the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems.

The affected areas, including Timure and Syaphrubesi, are situated near the Rasuwagadhi border crossing, a vital artery for trade and tourism between Nepal and China's Tibet Autonomous Region. The floodwaters rapidly engulfed settlements and infrastructure, moving downstream with immense destructive force.

Experts are investigating the exact cause, with preliminary analyses suggesting a massive avalanche or landslide may have blocked the Lhende Khola river. This blockage could have formed a temporary lake, and its subsequent failure released a catastrophic surge of water and debris. A magnitude 4.4 earthquake was recorded shortly before the flood, and scientists are examining whether it triggered the slope collapse.

The flood's destructive power was amplified by the immense volume of mud, rocks, and debris it carried. Communities along the rivers had minimal time to react as the surge moved swiftly downstream, impacting areas as far as the Narayani River. Among the missing are 579 tourists, including 466 foreign nationals and 113 Nepalis, highlighting the area's significance for Himalayan tourism, particularly routes to Kailash Parbat and Mansarovar Lake.