At least 19 people have died and nearly 400 are missing after a flash flood struck Nepal’s Rasuwa district near the Tibet border
At least 19 people have died and nearly 400 others are missing after a massive flash flood swept through parts of central Nepal on Wednesday, causing widespread destruction in settlements near the Tibet border.
The worst-hit Rasuwa district witnessed a sudden surge in the Bhote Koshi River at around 9 am. The flooding also affected Dhading and Nuwakot, damaging roads, bridges, settlements and hydropower infrastructure.
According to the Nepal Tourism Board, 384 travellers; 291 foreigners and 93 Nepali nationals are missing. The missing include 105 Indians and 37 non-resident Indians.
The exact cause of the sudden flood remains unclear. Officials are examining whether heavy rain, an avalanche or a glacial lake outburst on the Tibetan side triggered the surge. At least eight operating hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 354 MW and five projects under construction were damaged.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah and assured India’s full humanitarian assistance. India is sending relief material, including medicines and rations, while NDRF teams are being prepared for deployment.
The disaster has also prompted heightened vigilance in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh over possible rises in the Gandak and Narayani rivers.
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