Flash Floods Strike Nepal-China Border, 18 Missing

Kathmandu – At least 18 people have been reported missing after sudden flash floods hit Nepal’s Rasuwa district near the Nepal-China border early Tuesday morning, according to local media.

Among the missing are three police officers, nine civilians, and six Chinese nationals, as confirmed by the Assistant Chief District Officer of Rasuwa.

The floods caused significant destruction, sweeping away the Nepal-China Friendship Bridge and several newly imported electric vehicles (EVs) that were parked at the nearby dry port.

“The flood has washed away the Friendship Bridge and multiple EVs. There is concern that some individuals may have been inside the vehicles when the flood struck, though this has yet to be verified,” said Arjun Paudel, Chief District Officer of Rasuwa, as quoted by The Kathmandu Post.

Paudel added that many people caught in the flood — including rescue personnel — were successfully brought to safety.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli addressed the nation via social media, stating that the government is working on a “war footing” to rescue and assist those affected by the disaster.

“The government has mobilized all possible resources to rescue those impacted by the flood in the Trishuli River (known as the Bhotekoshi River upstream). Lives have been lost, people are missing, and the damage to property is severe,” said the Prime Minister.

He extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and expressed solidarity with those affected. "In this tragic moment, I’m receiving constant updates from security agencies and have postponed all non-essential commitments to oversee the rescue efforts. I've directed officials to ensure that no effort is spared in the government’s response. Emergency support is being coordinated across high-risk areas," he added.

In response to the crisis, Nepal’s Ministry of Home Affairs has convened an emergency meeting. Additionally, a joint session of the Central Security Committee and the Executive Committee of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) is scheduled for Tuesday, according to the Home Minister’s Secretariat.

With inputs from IANS