Nepal is reeling from one of its deadliest natural disasters in recent years after a sudden and violent flash flood tore through the Bhotekoshi river in the Rasuwa region. The disaster, triggered by a massive landslide near the Nepal-Tibet border, has left at least 163 people dead and more than 750 others unaccounted for, according to government figures released on Thursday morning. The scale of destruction has forced authorities in both Nepal and neighbouring Indian states to launch large-scale rescue and monitoring operations.
Bhotekoshi River Flood Leaves Trail of Destruction
The flash flood struck with little warning after a huge landslide near the Nepal-Tibet border sent a surge of ice, rock, mud and water crashing into the Lhende Khola, a tributary of the Bhotekoshi river. The US Geological Survey noted that the landslide generated a seismic signal comparable to a 5.2-magnitude earthquake, underlining the sheer force of the collapse. The floodwaters swept rapidly downstream through Betrawati, Dhading, Malekhu and Mugling before merging into the Trishuli and Narayani rivers, overwhelming everything in their path. Officials confirmed that 35 bridges and 45 suspension bridges have been washed away, cutting off access to several communities, while 13 hydropower projects sustained significant damage. Numerous vehicles were also swept off roads by the fast-moving current.
District-wise casualty figures show Chitwan as the worst-affected area, with 64 bodies recovered so far, followed by Dhading (27), East Nawalparasi (26), Gorkha (20), Nuwakot (12), Tanahu (9), Rasuwa (3) and West Nawalparasi (2). Alongside the confirmed deaths, roughly 245 local residents remain out of contact, along with dozens of security personnel from the Nepal Police, Nepal Army and Armed Police Force who were deployed in the affected zones.
Rescue Operations Intensify as Hundreds Remain Missing
Nepal’s Prime Minister’s Office has confirmed that army personnel and private helicopters will lead rescue efforts for injured and stranded residents, with the Nepal Army already credited with pulling more than 250 people to safety from flood-hit areas. Under a plan finalised by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, temporary medical camps are being set up at army barracks in Dhunche (Rasuwa) and Bidur (Nuwakot) to treat the injured before critical cases are transported to Kathmandu. Among those still missing are 384 tourists, including 139 Indian nationals, several of whom were pilgrims on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. State-wise breakdowns indicate Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have been hit hardest, with 37 and 32 of their citizens respectively still unaccounted for. India has already moved to assist its Himalayan neighbour, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirming that HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) teams and medical aid have reached Kathmandu, with additional support being mobilised.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken directly with his Nepali counterpart, Balen Shah, assuring him of India’s full support during the crisis and stating that the people of India stand firmly with their Nepali brothers and sisters.
Bihar and Uttar Pradesh on High Alert Over Rising River Levels
The disaster’s ripple effects have reached across the border, with authorities in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh placed on high alert as the Gandak, Narayani and Koshi rivers are closely monitored for rising water levels. Sensitive districts in UP, including Maharajganj and Kushinagar, along with six districts in Bihar, have been instructed to maintain heightened vigilance.
Tarnjot Singh, District Magistrate of West Champaran, said administrative staff have been stationed at the Valmikinagar barrage and along embankments as a precaution, noting that floodwaters had already passed Devghat in Nepal and were expected to reach the barrage by around 9 am. While officials expressed hope that water levels would stay below the danger mark, residents living along riverbanks have been formally alerted. India’s Ministry of Home Affairs and several other central ministries are continuing to monitor the evolving situation closely.