Kathmandu, 27 August: The flooding in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa has caused massive loss of life and property. According to the latest update from Nepal Police, the bodies of 157 people have been recovered so far.
Riverbank settlements in Rasuwa, Dhading and Nuwakot districts have suffered extensive damage. In some places, entire settlements have been swept away. The exact number of people affected remains unknown, as entire communities have been washed away and there is still no clear information about the fate of many residents. Reports continue to emerge that hundreds of people are missing.
According to police, three bodies have been recovered in Rasuwa, 13 in Nuwakot, 64 in Dhading, 19 in Gorkha, nine in Tanahun and 22 in Nawalparasi East. Those reported missing include personnel from the Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, civil servants and people working at various hydropower projects.
Nepal Police has also reported that 28 police personnel remain out of contact. Among those injured in the floods, 20 are receiving treatment at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu; four at the National Trauma Center; three at Bir Hospital; one at Birendra Army Hospital in Chhauni; three at Norvic Hospital; and nine at Trishuli Hospital.
A total of 403 tourists have gone out of contact due to the Rasuwa floods, including 341 foreigners and 62 Nepali nationals.
Of those out of contact, 203 are men and 200 are women. The largest number are Indian tourists, with 133 reported missing, followed by 47 Americans, 34 Australians and 33 British nationals.
Foreign and Nepali Tourists Missing
The number of tourists reported missing due to the Rasuwa floods has reached 403. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, 341 foreign tourists and 62 Nepali tourists are out of contact. Among them, 203 are men and 200 are women.
Indians account for the largest number of missing tourists, with 133 reported missing. Forty-seven Americans are missing, along with 33 British, 34 Australian, 24 Canadian, 19 Malaysian, seven Ukrainian and six South African tourists.
Similarly, six Singaporean tourists, five each from New Zealand and Japan, four Germans, three French and two Spanish tourists are out of contact.
Preliminary Estimate of More Than Rs 200 Billion in Economic Losses
According to the government’s preliminary estimate, Wednesday’s floods have caused more than Rs 200 billion in economic losses. Physical Infrastructure Minister Sunil Lamsal said losses in the infrastructure sector alone are estimated at more than Rs 200 billion.
He said the floods have caused extensive damage to infrastructure and that the government would prioritize the reconstruction of bridges and roads. In addition to roads and bridges, the floods have caused unimaginable damage to the energy and tourism sectors.
According to an update from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority as of 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, 35 concrete bridges and 45 suspension bridges have been swept away.
The 40-kilometer road from Betrabati to Rasuwagadhi has been completely washed away by the floods. The Ministry of Finance said the Rasuwagadhi Customs Office has also been completely destroyed. According to the ministry, the physical infrastructure of the customs office has suffered complete damage, while some employees remain out of contact.
The Federation of Nepal Trucking and Transport Entrepreneurs said cargo vehicles, transport operators and workers have been severely affected by the floods.
The Rasuwagadhi customs area in Timure has suffered the largest loss of life and property in its history due to the flooding. Billions of rupees worth of goods imported from China in preparation for major upcoming festivals such as Teej, Dashain, Tihar and Chhath, along with hundreds of cargo containers, traders, customs agents and transport workers operating there, have been caught in the disaster.
Along with ready-made goods stored in the customs yard, a large number of expensive electric vehicles (EVs) imported into Nepal were also swept away by the floodwaters. According to traders, between 500 and 700 vehicles were washed away.
Ramhari Karki, president of the Nepal Trans-Himalayan Commerce Association, estimated that more than 200 trucks that had arrived at the Rasuwagadhi border point to transport goods were swept away by the floods.
Transmission Lines Disrupted
Six transmission lines in Rasuwa have been disrupted following the devastating floods. According to the Nepal Electricity Authority, the 220-kV Trishuli substation has been completely damaged, while damage to other transmission lines has disrupted electricity transmission. The 220-kV 3B Hub Substation at Trishuli has also been completely damaged.
The Chilime 220-kV hub has been shut down after its tower was disrupted. The Samundratar–Trishuli 132-kV transmission line has been disrupted, while the Chilime–Trishuli 66-kV transmission line is also out of operation.
The Chilime Hub–Trishuli 3B Hub–Matatirtha 220-kV transmission line has been disrupted, as has the Trishuli–Balaju 66-kV transmission line. The authority said several other transmission-line towers have also been damaged.
Three Districts Declared Disaster Crisis Areas
The government has declared three flood-affected districts disaster crisis areas. It has also appealed for assistance to provide humanitarian and material support in the affected districts.
Several donor agencies have announced assistance to Nepal following the floods. India has sent 10 tons of humanitarian relief supplies to Nepal.
As the floods have created a major crisis, all political parties have also appealed to everyone to support the government’s efforts and work together. Representatives of all parties in Parliament expressed their commitment to supporting the government with a unified voice.
Rastriya Swatantra Party Chairman Rabi Lamichhane has called an all-party meeting for Thursday to discuss the disaster and the ongoing response.
