At least 16 people have died after a massive flash flood swept through Nepal’s Rasuwa district near the Tibet border on Wednesday, washing away villages, roads, bridges and other infrastructure. Rescue
operations are continuing across the affected areas as authorities search for people who remain missing or out of contact.
The flood entered the Bhote Koshi River from the Tibetan side of the border and caused extensive destruction in Rasuwa and downstream areas, including parts of Nuwakot and Dhading. Several riverside settlements and infrastructure projects were badly damaged, while communication links and road connectivity were disrupted.
How The Flash Flood Hit Nepal
The sudden surge struck Rasuwa early Wednesday, with the Bhote Koshi River rising rapidly and flooding areas including Timure and Syaphrubesi. The floodwaters then moved downstream towards areas including Dhading and Nuwakot.
The exact cause of the sudden flooding has not yet been officially established. Nepal’s Flood Forecasting Division has said the flooding did not appear to have been caused by heavy rainfall in Rasuwa itself. Officials have received preliminary information about a possible landslide blocking a river in Tibet before the water broke through, but investigations are continuing.
Death Toll Rises, Several Still Missing
The death toll has risen to 16, with bodies recovered from flood-affected areas in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading. The number could rise further as search teams reach areas that remain difficult to access.
A number of security personnel and civilians are also missing or remain out of contact. Radio Nepal reported that 32 Armed Police Force personnel from Timure and Mailung had initially gone missing, while later reports said some personnel had re-established contact.
At Least 90 People Rescued
Rescue teams have so far brought at least 90 people to safety, according to the Nepali Army. The Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police have been mobilised for search-and-rescue operations.
The Nepali Army has deployed helicopters to reach affected areas, while private helicopters are also being used for rescue and relief operations. A medical team, including specialist doctors, has been sent to provide treatment to people affected by the disaster.
Hundreds Of Tourists And Travellers Reported Missing
The disaster has raised serious concerns over the safety of tourists and other travellers in the affected border region. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, 384 travellers have been reported missing, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali nationals. Among the foreign nationals, 105 are Indians, while 37 others have been identified as NRIs.
The list also includes travellers from the UK, US, Malaysia, Australia, South Africa and the Netherlands. However, the Tourism Board has stressed that these are preliminary figures and that the whereabouts and safety of those listed are being verified with travel agencies, guides, local authorities and security agencies.
Roads, Bridges And Power Infrastructure Damaged
The flooding has caused widespread damage to roads, bridges, settlements and hydropower infrastructure along the Bhote Koshi River. Several downstream areas have been placed on high alert as authorities monitor the movement of floodwaters.
The main road towards Kathmandu has been affected, while communications and power supplies have also been disrupted in parts of the region. Reuters reported that the disaster had affected infrastructure linked to hundreds of megawatts of electricity generation.
Authorities have urged people living along the Trishuli River and other vulnerable areas to move to safer locations and avoid riverbanks as rescue and relief operations continue.
Government Steps Up Rescue And Relief
Prime Minister Balendra Shah has directed security agencies to continue rescue and relief operations. The government has mobilised the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police, while medical teams, the Red Cross and other groups are coordinating assistance for affected communities.
Search operations are continuing on both sides of the Nepal-Tibet border as authorities assess the full scale of the destruction and work to locate missing people. In Tibet, Chinese authorities have also launched rescue efforts after a mudslide struck the Gyirong border area, where officials have warned of major casualties.
