A sudden and devastating flash flood has struck Nepal’s Rasuwa district near the Tibet border, leaving at least 105 Indian tourists among 291 foreign nationals reported missing, according to the Nepal Tourism Board.
What happened
On Wednesday morning, around 8:30–9:00 a.m. local time, a massive surge of water entered Nepal from the Tibetan side through the Bhote Koshi River. The flood rapidly swept through settlements in Timure, Rasuwagadhi and Syabrubesi before moving downstream along the Trishuli River, putting multiple districts on high alert.english.nepalnews+1Videos and official reports show vehicles, market structures and riverside settlements being washed away, with bridges, roads and hydropower infrastructure badly damaged.
Tourists and pilgrims missing
The Nepal Tourism Board, using data from travel agencies, guides and local authorities, said 291 foreign tourists and 93 Nepali tourists are currently out of contact in Rasuwa. Of the foreign nationals, at least 105 are Indian, the Board confirmed in statements carried by Indian and Nepali media.Many of those affected were pilgrims and tourists travelling on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route via the Rasuwagadhi border crossing. Reports indicate that more than 500 tourists and pilgrims were en route when the flood hit.
Casualties and rescue efforts
Authorities have confirmed at least seven to eight deaths so far, with several more people still missing, including security personnel. Nine Armed Police Force personnel deployed in Timure have been reported missing after the flood struck the area.english.onlinekhabar+1The Nepali Army has deployed multiple helicopters and drones for search-and-rescue operations. By Wednesday afternoon, at least 25–29 injured people had been airlifted to safety. Rescue teams are working on both sides of the river, but the full extent of casualties and damage is still being assessed.
Infrastructure damage
The flood has caused extensive damage to hydropower and solar power infrastructure in the region. The Nepal Electricity Authority said structures linked to 11 hydropower projects (totaling 405 MW) and a 25 MW solar project were damaged. Markets, customs offices, police posts and settlements along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli corridors have also been hit.
