Massive Flood Sweeps Northern Nepal, Five Districts Put on High Alert

KATHMANDU, Aug 26: A sudden and massive flood swept through northern Nepal on Wednesday morning, causing extensive damage in border settlements of Rasuwa district and prompting authorities to place several downstream districts on high alert.

The flood surged through the Bhote Koshi River at around 9 am local time, reportedly from the direction of Tibet. The sudden rise in water caused widespread destruction in Timure and the nearby Syafrubesi area, with vehicles, goods and other property washed away, the Nepal Army said.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRM) has advised people living near river banks in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitawan and Gorkha to remain on high alert and take necessary safety measures until further notice.

Rasuwa Assistant Chief District Officer Dhruva Prasad Adhikari described the flooding as unusually large and said the two settlements had suffered significant damage.

Rasuwa Chief Customs Officer Rajendra Dhungana said several vehicles and goods kept at the customs premises were swept away. A recently constructed bridge was also destroyed in the flood.

The Prime Minister’s Office said personnel from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police had been deployed in Rasuwa and surrounding areas to intensify rescue and relief operations.

The Government is also convening a high-level meeting to assess the situation and decide further measures.

The Nepal Army has deployed two helicopters to areas near the Trishuli River for search and rescue operations. An MI-17 helicopter equipped with an Emergency Medical Rescue Team has also been mobilised towards the district hospital in Trishuli.

Officials said the full extent of the damage was yet to be assessed as teams were collecting details from affected areas.

Rasuwa witnessed catastrophic flooding last year as well, when sudden drainage of a previously unnoticed supraglacial lake in the Bhotekoshi region left at least 10 people dead.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said Wednesday’s flooding was not caused by rainfall in Rasuwa. (Agencies)