KATHMANDU: A devastating flash flood in Nepal’s northern Rasuwa region has left at least 162 people dead, while more than 400 others remain missing, including a large number of Indian nationals believed to have been travelling through the area.
The disaster struck on Wednesday after a sudden surge of water swept down the Bhote Koshi River, causing extensive destruction in areas close to the Tibet border. According to reports, the floodwaters began rising at around 9 am local time and are believed to have originated from the Tibetan side.
Villages, roads, vehicles, goods and several project sites were severely affected as the powerful floodwaters tore through Timure in Rasuwa district and neighbouring Syafrubesi. Large-scale damage to property has also been reported.
Nepalese authorities have launched an extensive rescue and relief operation in the affected region. The Nepal Army has deployed 14 helicopters along with disaster response teams to search for survivors and assist stranded residents.
Personnel from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police have also been sent to Rasuwa and nearby areas following directions from the Prime Minister’s Office, as rescue teams continue operations in difficult conditions.
Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said the scale of the tragedy remains enormous, with thousands of people yet to be traced in the wider affected region.
A major concern is the fate of foreign travellers, particularly Indian pilgrims who use the route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. According to Khanal, nearly 300 Indian nationals have reportedly gone missing, although authorities are still working to verify their whereabouts and establish contact with them.
Rescue operations are continuing as authorities assess the full extent of the destruction and search for those still missing in one of the worst flash flood disasters to hit the region in recent times.
