20 Missing in Rasuwagadhi Flood; Authorities Urge Public to Stay Alert as Damage Spreads

KATHMANDU, July 8 – At least 20 people are missing after a sudden flash flood entered Nepal from the Rasuwagadhi border point early Tuesday morning. The missing include three Nepal Police officers, six Chinese nationals, and 11 Nepali citizens.

The flood hit around 3 a.m., severely affecting the Rasuwa district and prompting neighboring Sindhupalchowk to issue emergency safety warnings. Authorities say key infrastructure has been badly damaged. The Miteri Bridge, which links Nepal and China, was washed away. The road from Syafrubesi to Rasuwagadhi is now blocked, and damage was reported at the Rasuwa Customs Office, its dry port in Timure, an electric vehicle charging station, and the Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project dam.

The flood also swept away 35 electric vehicles, 23 container trucks, and six Sino trucks.

Rescue efforts are ongoing, involving security forces, local officials, and volunteers. So far, 55 people have been rescued, including 23 airlifted by a Nepali Army helicopter. Among them are 50 Nepalis, one Chinese national, and four Indian nationals. Human remains—specifically a man's right leg—were recovered from the riverbank in Uttargaya Rural Municipality.

The most affected areas include parts of Gosainkunda, Aamachhodingmo, Uttargaya, and Kalika rural municipalities. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, and the Energy Minister visited the disaster zone to assess the situation.

Meanwhile, due to continued rainfall in Tibet’s Nyalam area, Chinese authorities have warned of possible further flooding. Sindhupalchowk officials have urged people living near the Bhotekoshi and Sunkoshi rivers to stay alert. Drivers have also been warned to be extra cautious on the Araniko Highway, especially between Bandeu and Liping.

Experts from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) say extreme rainfall likely wasn't the cause. “We haven’t seen any significant rainfall in the Chinese catchment before the flood,” said Pradeep Man Dangol, a senior hydrologist at ICIMOD. He added that a glacial lake or landslide lake outburst may be to blame, but more investigation is needed.

One high-risk glacial lake in the upper Trishuli River basin is currently being examined. However, Nepal’s hydrology department has not found evidence of sudden damming or a typical flood surge, which usually signals a glacial lake outburst.

“While it’s too early to confirm the exact cause, it’s clear that global warming is making mountain disasters more frequent and complex,” said ICIMOD Director General Pema Gyamtsho. Climate risk expert Qianggong Zhang added that not all floods are caused by rain and that disaster response strategies must evolve accordingly.

Authorities continue to urge the public to stay informed, follow safety guidelines, and remain extremely cautious as search and relief efforts go on.

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