Flood Sweeps Away Over 100 Cargo Trucks in Rasuwagadhi; 200 MW of Power Generation Stopped

 KATHMANDU, July 8 – Preliminary estimates show that more than 100 cargo vehicles were swept away by a powerful flood that hit the Rasuwagadhi customs yard and the under-construction dry port in Timure, Rasuwa district.

Ashish Gajurel, Executive Director of the Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board, said most of the missing vehicles were loaded with goods. Luckily, electric vehicles (EVs) parked further from the flood zone appear to have suffered little damage.

“Roughly 230 vehicles were parked in the yard, though some were moved to higher ground before the flood hit. A detailed assessment is still underway,” said Gajurel.

Karan Chaudhary, President of the NADA Automobiles Association, confirmed that they are still collecting information on the brands and number of affected vehicles. "We're coordinating with the government to get accurate details," he said.

Flood Halts Power Production in Rasuwa

The flood has also badly affected hydropower projects in the region. Hitendra Dev Shakya, Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), said around 200 megawatts of electricity production has been shut down.

At the 111 MW Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project, a dam gate was swept away and a bridge leading to the site was destroyed. The tailrace section is now filled with debris, although the powerhouse itself remains safe.

The 60 MW Trishuli 3A project also suffered damage, with floodwaters entering several buildings. The nearby Trishuli 3B substation is covered in mud, forcing a full shutdown of power generation.

Floodwaters entered the Chilime Hydropower Project powerhouse as well, but no serious damage has been reported. However, one transmission tower on the Trishuli River was washed away.

As a result, 200 MW of electricity generation in the Trishuli corridor is currently suspended.

Most of the Missing in Rasuwa Flood Are Workers

Eighteen people remain missing after the flood, which is believed to have been triggered by heavy water flow from the Chinese side of the border. Joint rescue teams from the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force have rescued nine people so far.

Among the missing are three Nepal Police officers from the Timure Area Police Office—Assistant Sub-Inspector Lal Bahadur Shrestha, and constables Munna Thakur and Lokendra Bohora.

Six Chinese nationals are also unaccounted for: Yu Yue, Li Huaqing, Yang Chuan, Yu Hai Hang, You Xiao Qiu, and Jou Yong.

The remaining nine missing Nepalis are mostly workers:
– Jipan Chaudhary, Santosh Dait, Buddhiram Tharu, Laxminarayan Tharu, and Suresh Tharu (all from Bardiya)
– Narendra BK (Baglung)
– Phurba Lama (container truck driver)
– Govinda Moktan (mixer truck driver)
– Lokman Tamang (Hilux driver)

The flood has caused extensive damage to the Nepal–China Friendship Bridge, Rasuwagadhi Customs Office, and the surrounding areas. Seven electric vehicles parked at the dry port were also swept away. Damage to the Rasuwagadhi Hydropower dam and workers’ housing camp has been confirmed.

Rescue operations are still ongoing, with authorities urging the public to remain cautious and stay updated through official channels.

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