A flash flood in Nepal has resulted in at least eight fatalities and caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and power projects, particularly in areas near Tibet. The flood occurred on Wednesday, prompting the deployment of helicopters for rescue operations. Authorities reported that 384 tourists, including 291 from the United Kingdom, the United States, India, and Malaysia, were missing due to the flood. The affected areas, Syapru Besi and Timure in the Rasuwa district, have a population of approximately 50,000, and helicopters were unable to land due to high water levels.
District administrator Narendra Pariyar stated, "There could be heavy casualties or loss of property," but could not provide specific details at the time. Residents living near the Bhote Koshi River were advised to seek higher ground as reports indicated that nearby villages and infrastructure were washed away. In Tibet, the county of Gyirong reported major casualties and missing persons following a mudslide that impacted a land crossing between China and Nepal, according to the Xinhua news agency.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for all-out efforts to locate the missing and emphasized the need for improved monitoring and early warning systems to prevent further disasters. Climate justice activist Prayash Adhikari described the flood as devastating, stating that it has destroyed entire villages and left hundreds missing. He noted that many people were unprepared for the flood, which struck without heavy rainfall.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah convened an emergency meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority to assess the situation. The Nepal Army has deployed helicopters and disaster response personnel to the affected areas, and the Nepal Electricity Authority reported damage to approximately 430 megawatts of production capacity from hydropower and solar facilities, disrupting electricity supply.
Experts from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development indicated that an avalanche from a glacier likely triggered the flash flood. The Lhende Khola River, a tributary of the Bhote Koshi River, experienced maximum flooding, with the event being the second significant flood in 14 months. Adhikari highlighted the importance of early warning systems to protect communities from such disasters, noting the ongoing challenges posed by climate change.
The Bhote Koshi River flows from Tibet into Nepal and eventually into India as the Gandak River. A similar flood last year resulted in nine deaths and 24 missing persons, caused by the draining of a supraglacial lake in Tibet. Monsoon rains from June to September frequently lead to floods and landslides in South Asia, with scientists indicating that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of these extreme weather events.