Devastating Floods Ravage Nepal’s Rasuwa, Death Toll Rises to 95, Hundreds of Tourists Missing

Photo: Collected

News Desk: A devastating flood has caused landslides and avalanches in Rasuwa district, bordering Nepal and Tibet. CCTV footage showed how, within minutes, a massive wall of mud and debris came rolling down and destroyed everything in its path. People were seen running to escape. But within just a few seconds, the huge black wall of mud and debris engulfed everything. At least 95 people have been killed. As many as 341 tourists, including 105 Indian nationals, are missing. Reuters reported this, citing local media and police.

Declaring the incident a disaster, the administrator of Rasuwa district said they fear a large loss of life.

The sudden flood on Wednesday (August 26) completely destroyed roads, bridges and several power projects.

The Nepal Tourism Board said that 403 people are still missing after the sudden flood in Rasuwa district on Wednesday. Among them, 61 are Nepali and 341 are foreign nationals. Of them, 133 are from India, 47 from the United States, and 33 from the United Kingdom. Among the missing are 200 women and 203 men. It is believed that the missing people include citizens of 26 countries.

The devastating flash flood that swept through Nepal’s Nuwakot and Dhading districts caused the Bhotekoshi River to overflow with a powerful current, inundating various areas. Nepali media reported that the flood was caused by a surge of water coming from the Tibetan side of the border.

According to information from the Nepal Tourism Board, at least 384 tourists are missing from the flood-affected areas. Among them, 291 are foreign nationals, and 93 are Nepali citizens. Officials said 105 of the foreigners are Indian nationals.

In addition, at least 26 Nepal Police personnel are still missing in Rasuwa district. The Armed Police Force also said that seven of its members are missing.

The Nepal Army has deployed helicopters and disaster response teams in the disaster-affected areas. In a statement, it said, “The process of collecting detailed information on the damage is underway.”

Citing Kathmandu University professor Rijon Bhakta Kayastha, the Kathmandu Post reported that an initial assessment showed that an avalanche blocked the course of the Lende River. This led to a sudden flood in the Bhotekoshi River. Bhotekoshi is a tributary of the Lende River.

China’s state-run Xinhua news agency said that the landslide occurred mainly on the Nepal border. It struck the Jirong port. As a result, roads, communications systems and electricity connections were disrupted in the Shigatse region bordering Nepal.

Reuters said that rescue operations are still underway. Verified videos showed many people being swept away by the water current in the border area. Authorities in both countries fear that the death toll may rise further and that extensive damage has occurred. Houses, roads and power projects in Nepal have been swept away by the water.

Officials in Tibet said that there are fears of “major loss of life” after a landslide in the border area of Gyirong. Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal told the country’s parliament on Wednesday that an earthquake in the area may have triggered an avalanche or landslide, which may have caused the flood.