Flash Flood Hits Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa, Major Damage Reported

A major flash flood has struck the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa district, with significant damage reported in the Timure and Syafrubesi areas. Rasuwa Chief District Officer Narendra Pariyar said he was informed that a sudden and unusually large flood occurred at around 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday. Preliminary information indicates that the flood originated from the Chinese side of the border. Assistant Chief District Officer Dhruba Prasad Adhikari said the sudden surge in the Bhote Koshi River caused substantial damage to the Timure Customs Office and areas of Syabrubesi. “Large floods have come into the Bhote Koshi from the Chinese side. Significant damage appears to have occurred in Timure of Gosainkunda Rural Municipality-2 and Syabrubesi of Ward No. 5,” Adhikari said. Khem Lal Bhusal, Director General of the Department of Customs, said officials in Timure informed the department about the flooding at around 8 a.m. “We have not yet received details of what else has happened. We are trying to determine how many colleagues are there. Six or seven people are in contact, while we have not been able to reach others by phone,” Bhusal said. Officials said efforts are underway to establish contact with people in the affected areas and assess the extent of the damage. Adhikari said authorities in downstream areas had also been alerted due to the unusually large volume of water. “I have informed Nuwakot and Dhading as well. The flood is unprecedented and very large,” he said. He added that he had received information that a major flood had originated from the Tibet side. Authorities have urged residents living along riverbanks and downstream areas to remain highly alert following the sudden rise in the Bhote Koshi River. Residents in riverine areas of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan have been advised to take precautions and avoid approaching the river. Officials said the exact extent of damage and possible casualties had not yet been confirmed and that further assessment was underway.