Nepal was hit by a severe flash flood on Wednesday, resulting in loss of life, reports of missing persons and extensive damage to homes, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other infrastructure. The floods swept through villages and areas along the Bhote Koshi River near the Tibet border, with Rasuwa and neighbouring districts among the worst affected.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is closely monitoring the situation following the flood in Nepal and the possibility of a flood wave moving downstream through the Gandak River. The rise is suspected to be linked to glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) activity near the Nepal-China border. At least 105 Indians and 37 NRIs are among the nearly 400 persons missing after the devastating floods in Nepal’s Rasuwa district bordering Tibet swept through villages and damaged critical infrastructure on Wednesday. The NDRF said that, based on an advisory from the Central Water Commission (CWC) and media reports, a sudden rise in the water level of the Trishuli River at Furke Khola in Nepal, around 160 km from the Indian border, has been reported.
A total of 384 travellers, 291 foreigners and 93 Nepalese nationals, have gone missing due to the Rasuwa floods, according to the latest statement by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).
Teams have been deployed in vulnerable areas of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, according to an NDRF press release.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Nepalese counterpart Balen Shah after the deadly flash flood swept through parts of Nepal, assuring him of ‘all possible humanitarian assistance’ “Spoke to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods in Nepal. Local authorities in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, particularly those near the India-Nepal border along the Gandak River, have been advised to remain alert and closely monitor the situation.
The flood wave is expected to move downstream through the Gandak River, according to the release. The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time,” Modi said in a post on X, adding that India is coordinating ‘closely on rescue and relief efforts.’
