NU
Tue, 08 July 2025
KATHMANDU, Nepal – At least 18 people are missing after a severe flash flood, triggered by relentless heavy rainfall and a suspected cloudburst, swept through parts of Rasuwa district, northern Nepal, early on Tuesday. The deluge primarily affected the critical Rasuwagadhi border point in Gosainkunda Rural Municipality-2, near the Nepal-China border. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has publicly expressed his grief and ordered government bodies to deploy "war-footing" rescue and relief efforts.
The catastrophic flood, which saw the water levels of the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers surge rapidly, has caused extensive damage to infrastructure. The crucial Friendship Bridge connecting Nepal and China at Rasuwagadhi was completely washed away, effectively halting all border trade between the two nations. The Pukuren Bridge, also near Rasuwagadhi, was reportedly destroyed as well.
The missing individuals were largely workers stationed at the dry port or customs office in the affected area. Among the 18, 12 are from Sindhupalchok, five from Rasuwa, and one is a Chinese national from Tibet. Adding to the mounting concerns, two bodies have been recovered in the Trishuli River in Dhading district. According to DSP Subash Hamal of the District Police Office, Dhading, the bodies of two males were found on the banks of the Trishuli River in two separate locations: Kyarinitar of Galchi Rural Municipality-2, and Belkhu of Gajuri Rural Municipality-6. Preliminary assessment suggests the deaths occurred recently, based on the condition of the corpses, and a police team has reached the spots to investigate the incidents.
Several key government and commercial structures have sustained severe damage or been entirely swept away, including the customs office building, the police post, the dry port area, two houses, and four shops. Furthermore, the flood significantly impacted crucial hydropower projects in the region; the powerhouse of Upper Bhote Koshi 'A' Hydropower Project (25MW) was submerged, though approximately 50 workers were successfully rescued from the site. The larger Lower Bhote Koshi Hydropower Project (102MW) is also understood to have been affected.
Rescue and search operations are currently underway, involving personnel from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police, and local administration. However, efforts are being hampered by challenging conditions, including ongoing landslides and difficult access to the affected areas.
Prime Minister Oli, addressing the Parliament on Tuesday, reiterated his directives to the Home Ministry and security agencies to expedite the search and rescue missions. Water levels remain dangerously high, posing continued threats to settlements along the river banks. The full extent of the disaster, including potential further casualties and property losses on both the Nepali and Chinese sides of the border, is still being assessed.
