Kathmandu: Devastating flash floods originating from the Tibetan border have swept through northern Nepal, leaving at least 95 people dead and extensive damage in their wake. Nearly 400 Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrims, including at least 105 Indian nationals, are reported missing after the swelling Bhote Koshi River washed away villages, roads, and key infrastructure.
The flash floods have severely impacted Nepal’s Nuwakot, Dhading, and Rasuwa districts. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, at least 384 travellers—comprising 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepalese locals—remain unaccounted for in the flood-ravaged zones. Security forces have also been hit hard, with 26 Nepal Police officers and 7 Armed Police Force personnel reported missing in Rasuwa.
Severe Infrastructure Damage & Blackouts
The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) confirmed that torrents of floodwater severely damaged six major hydropower and transmission facilities, including Rasuwagadhi, Chilime, and Trishuli 3A. The destruction has led to widespread power outages and supply disruptions across multiple regions. Major highways connecting the northern border area have also been shut down due to landslides and road collapse.
Massive Rescue Operation Underway
The Nepal Army has deployed disaster response personnel along with rescue helicopters to locate survivors and evacuate stranded individuals from high-risk zones.
Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah convened an emergency meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority to coordinate rescue efforts.
“Work has started to take necessary steps in coordination with the medical team, scouts, and Red Cross,” PM Shah stated in a social media update.
Authorities have issued high-alert warnings for residents living along the Trishuli River basin across Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan, and Gorkha districts, urging them to move to higher ground immediately.
