The flood in Rasuwa’s Bhotekoshi River has caused massive human and material losses. According to the latest Nepal Police update, 157 bodies have been recovered so far.
Riverside settlements in Rasuwa, Dhading, and Nuwakot districts have suffered major damage, with some settlements swept away entirely.
With whole settlements washed away, it is still not clear what has happened to many people. Reports of hundreds of missing persons continue to come in.
According to police, bodies have been recovered as follows: Rasuwa 3, Nuwakot 13, Dhading 64, Gorkha 19, Tanahun 9, and Nawalparasi East 22.
Among the missing are personnel from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, civil servants, and workers from various hydropower projects. Nepal Police has also reported that 28 police personnel remain out of contact so far.
Among those injured in the floods, 20 are being treated at TU Teaching Hospital Maharajgunj, 4 at the Trauma Centre, 3 at Bir Hospital, 1 at Birendra Military Hospital Chhauni, 3 at Norvic Hospital, and 9 at Trishuli Hospital.
The floods have left 403 tourists out of contact, including 341 foreigners and 62 Nepalis, 203 men and 200 women.
The largest number of missing tourists are Indian (133), followed by Americans (47), Australians (34), and Britons (33).
Foreign and domestic tourists out of contact
The number of tourists left out of contact due to the Rasuwa flood has reached 403. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, 341 are foreign, and 62 are Nepali, comprising 203 men and 200 women.
Indians make up the largest group among those out of contact, at 133, followed by 47 Americans, 33 Britons, 34 Australians, 24 Canadians, 19 Malaysians, 7 Ukrainians, and 6 South Africans. Also out of contact are 6 Singaporeans, 5 each from New Zealand and Japan, 4 Germans, 3 French, and 2 Spanish nationals.
Preliminary estimate: over 200 billion rupees in economic damage
According to the government’s preliminary estimate, Wednesday’s flood caused damage exceeding 200 billion rupees to the economy. Minister for Physical Infrastructure Sunil Lamsal said that infrastructure damage alone is estimated at over 200 billion rupees. He said the flood has caused extensive infrastructure damage, and that the government will prioritise rebuilding bridges and roads. Beyond roads and bridges, the flood has caused unimaginable damage to the energy and tourism sectors.
According to a Disaster Risk Reduction Authority update as of 11:30 PM Wednesday, 35 concrete bridges and 45 suspension bridges have been swept away.
The 40-kilometre road from Betrawati to Rasuwagadhi has been completely washed away. The Ministry of Finance reported that the Rasuwagadhi customs point has been destroyed. According to the ministry, the physical infrastructure of Rasuwagadhi customs has been fully damaged, and some staff remain out of contact. According to the Nepal Truck Transport Entrepreneurs’ Federation, cargo vehicles, transport operators, and labourers have been affected by the floods.
The flood caused the greatest human and material damage ever seen in the Rasuwagadhi customs area (Timure).
Goods worth billions of rupees imported from China ahead of the upcoming major festivals, Teej, Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath, along with hundreds of cargo containers and the businesspeople, customs agents, and transport workers stationed there, have been caught in the flood’s grip. Along with ready-made goods at the customs yard, a large number of expensive imported electric vehicles (EVs) were also swept away. Businesspeople say 500–700 vehicles were washed away. According to Ram Hari Karki, chairman of the Nepal Himalaya Cross-Border Commerce Association, more than 200 trucks that had arrived at the Rasuwagadhi border point for cargo transport are estimated to have been swept away.
Transmission lines disrupted
Six transmission lines have been disrupted by the severe flooding in Rasuwa. According to the Nepal Electricity Authority, the 220 kV substation at Trishuli has been destroyed, and power flow has been disrupted due to damage to other transmission lines. The 220 kV 3B Hub substation at Trishuli has been destroyed.
The Chilime 220 kV hub tower has shut down due to obstruction. The Samundratar–Trishuli 132 kV transmission line is disrupted, as is the Chilime–Trishuli 66 kV line. The Chilime Hub–Trishuli 3B Hub–Matatirtha 220 kV line and the Trishuli–Balaju 66 kV line are also disrupted. The authority says some other transmission line towers have also been damaged.
Three districts declared crisis-hit
The government has declared the three flood-affected districts crisis zones and has appealed for humanitarian and material assistance for them. Several donor agencies have pledged support to Nepal for flood relief; India has sent 10 tonnes of humanitarian aid.
Following the massive crisis caused by the floods, all political parties have appealed for unity in supporting the government’s response. Representatives of all parties in parliament pledged united support for the government. Ruling RSP chairman Rabi Lamichhane has called an all-party meeting to discuss the disaster tomorrow (Thursday).
