1 week ago
Bhote Koshi Flood Kills Eight, Nine Missing in Nepal
A very large flood suddenly rushed through Nepal’s Bhote Koshi River on Wednesday morning.
The water appeared to come from the direction of Tibet.
It badly damaged Timure and Syafrubesi near the border.
Cars, goods, houses, roads and bridges were swept away.
At least eight people were reported dead, although earlier reports gave lower numbers.
Nine Armed Police Force workers were reported missing.
Rescue teams used helicopters and other equipment to search for people and help the injured.
Floodwater moved into the Trishuli River, so people downstream were warned to move to safer places.
Officials are still investigating what caused the sudden surge.
A sudden Bhote Koshi River surge struck Rasuwa near the Tibet border around 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Timure and Syafrubesi suffered extensive damage, with vehicles, goods, homes, roads, bridges and police facilities swept away.
At least eight bodies were reported recovered, while nine Armed Police Force personnel remained missing from Timure.
Nepal’s Army, Armed Police Force and Police deployed helicopters, drones, medical teams and other resources for rescue operations.
The flood’s cause remains unconfirmed, with officials examining a glacial lake outburst, rainfall or a blocked river on the Tibetan side.
- Who
- Residents, businesses, customs workers and security personnel in Rasuwa and downstream areas were affected; Nepal’s Army, Armed Police Force and Police conducted rescue operations.
- What
- A sudden flash flood in the Bhote Koshi River caused deaths, missing persons and extensive damage to settlements, infrastructure, hydropower facilities and property.
- Where
- Timure and Syafrubesi in Rasuwa near the Nepal-China border, with floodwaters later reaching the Trishuli basin and downstream districts.
- When
- Wednesday at approximately 9 a.m. local time.
- Why
- The cause has not been confirmed. Officials said local rainfall in Rasuwa did not explain the surge and were examining conditions on the Tibetan side, including a glacial lake outburst, intense rainfall, an avalanche or a blocked river.
Possible Explanations and Estimates
Confirmed or Officially Reported Information
Cause of the flood
Possible Explanations and Estimates
Reports cited possible rainfall or an avalanche on the Tibetan side, a glacial lake outburst flood, or a landslide blocking a river before water broke through.
Confirmed or Officially Reported Information
Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said the flooding was not caused by rainfall in Rasuwa, but officials had not determined the actual cause.
Casualty figures
Possible Explanations and Estimates
One report said about 1,000 people may have been swept away, while other early reports gave four or seven deaths and four missing Armed Police Force personnel.
Confirmed or Officially Reported Information
The more recent reports stated that at least eight bodies had been recovered and nine Armed Police Force personnel were missing, while authorities continued collecting information.
Political coordination
Possible Explanations and Estimates
Reports differed over whether Prime Minister Balendra Shah or Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli chaired or led the emergency response meeting.
Confirmed or Officially Reported Information
The reports consistently said Nepal’s Army, Armed Police Force and Police were mobilized and that officials were coordinating rescue, medical and relief operations.
Key facts
- Reported deaths
- At least eight bodies were reported recovered from Nuwakot and Dhading; earlier reports cited four or seven deaths, and officials warned the toll could rise.
- Missing personnel
- Nine Armed Police Force personnel stationed at a Timure border outpost were reported missing; another report gave a preliminary figure of four.
- Worst-hit locations
- Timure, Timure Bazaar, Syafrubesi and the Rasuwa customs area sustained major damage.
- Flood timing
- The surge struck at around 9 a.m. Wednesday, local time.
- Infrastructure damage
- Reports described damage to houses, vehicles, goods, roads, bridges, police facilities, electricity infrastructure and hydropower projects; one report said about 60 houses near Trishuli Bazaar were swept away.
- Hydropower impact
- The Independent Power Producers’ Association Nepal reported damage to eight operating hydropower projects totaling 354 megawatts and five projects under construction.
- Rescue response
- The Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police were deployed, with reports citing between 12 and 14 helicopters, as well as drones, medical teams and search dogs.
- Downstream warnings
- Authorities warned communities along rivers in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan to move away from riverbanks and remain alert.
Quotes
Narendra Pariyar
Rasuwa Chief District Officer
“The flood was sudden. It is seen that the flood has affected the settlement. All the details have not yet been received.”
thestatesman.com
“It has not rained here. The sun is shining here. It is not clear whether the glacier burst upstream or what happened.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
Nepal Flash Flood: At Least 8 Dead After Bhote Koshi River Swells Near Tibet Border, Several Missing
Massive flash flood sweeps through Nepal border, 4 dead
Nepal Flood Crisis: Massive Bhote Koshi River Surge Ravages Rasuwa Near Tibet Border, Sweeps Away Vehicles, Goods And Bridge | Video
Nepal Flash Flood: Bhote Koshi River Swells, Rasuwa Devastated; 1,000 Feared Swept Away
Nepal Flash Floods Kill Eight, Nine Missing As Rescue Operations Continue
Seven dead as sudden flood devastates Nepal’s Rasuwa; nine border personnel missing
Related news
Nepal Flash Flood Kills Eight, Damages Roads and Power Projects
Nepal Flash Floods From Tibet Kill Eight, Damage Power
Flash Flood Devastates Nepal-Tibet Border, Hundreds Reported Missing
Nepal Flash Floods Kill At Least 19, Leave Hundreds Missing
Nepal-Tibet Flash Flood Leaves Dead, Hundreds Missing
Nepal Flash Floods: Possible Avalanche, Earthquake or GLOF Triggers
Nepal Thanks India as Glacial Disaster Rescue Efforts Continue
Nepal Warns of Heavy Rain After Deadly Floods
Nepal Flood Exposes Delayed Alerts and Cross-Border Warning Gaps
Bhotekoshi Flood Crisis: Nepal PM Shah Calls for Courage
Nepal PM Thanks India, China Amid Climate Compensation Demand
