Kathmandu, Nepal – A massive flash flood in the Bhotekoshi River has devastated villages in Nepal’s Rasuwa district, bordering Tibet, leaving at least 18 dead and over 380 people missing, including 291 foreign nationals. The Nepal Tourism Board reported that 105 Indian nationals are among the missing, with the information still being verified. The flood, which struck on Wednesday morning, damaged roads, hydropower projects, telecommunications networks, and other critical infrastructure, prompting a large-scale search-and-rescue operation involving over 30 helicopters.
The areas of Syapru Besi and Timure in Rasuwa, with a population of about 50,000, were severely affected, with vehicles, goods, and other property washed away. Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal told Parliament that dozens of security personnel and government officials, including 26 police and armed police, 44 army personnel, and customs officials, could not be contacted. Preliminary information suggests an earthquake-triggered ice avalanche at 8:37 a.m. may have caused the flood, but authorities are still investigating. Officials also received information that a landslide may have blocked a river in Tibet before water burst through.
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The flood has reignited concerns about infrastructure planning in vulnerable Himalayan river corridors. Experts point to the increasing frequency of such extreme events due to climate change and a lack of proper risk assessments. Ramesh Bhusal, a journalist covering climate change, said, “While such disasters may happen regardless of our understanding, the high casualties are the result of ignorance.” A 2020 inventory identified 47 potentially dangerous glacial lakes in the region, and Wednesday’s event has raised alarms about the need for better disaster preparedness. The government has declared the affected areas disaster-crisis zones for three months and is working to restore essential services.
