Rasuwa, August 26
A sudden and massive flood swept through Timure Bazaar in Rasuwa on Wednesday morning, leaving residents and government employees scrambling for safety as communication with several people remains cut off.
Rajendra Dhungana, chief of the Timure Customs Office, said the flood struck between 8:30 and 8:45 am while he and other employees were at the office.
Dhungana said the incident initially felt like an earthquake.
“We were at the Timure Customs Office. I had already reached the office. Suddenly, we felt as if there was an earthquake and everyone panicked,” he said.
“When we came outside, there was a huge rumbling sound. Before we could even think about what was happening, we saw the flood coming down from above like a volcanic eruption.”
Employees scramble to escape
Dhungana said the flood quickly approached the customs office, prompting employees to run for safety.
“The flood had already reached close to the office. We screamed and ran, telling everyone to get out,” he said.
Some employees managed to escape, but others did not have enough time, according to Dhungana.
“Some of our colleagues managed to get out, while others could not. Most of the people in the market could not escape,” he said.
The Timure Customs Office itself is located in Timure Bazaar.
“Nothing is left now. There were around 30 to 40 people at our office. Some are in contact, while we have not been able to reach others. No one’s phone is connecting at the moment,” Dhungana said.
Around 40-50 people sheltering in the forest
Dhungana said only around 15 to 20 employees have been able to maintain contact with one another.
“When I try to contact someone, their phone does not connect. Perhaps that is why mine also does not connect. Only around 15 to 20 of us are in contact with each other. We do not know where the others are,” he said.
The group has taken shelter in a forested area above the market.
“We are currently staying safely in the forest above the market. We have not met any rescue teams yet,” Dhungana said.
Although the water level in the river has now decreased, returning to the market to search for missing people is not possible, he said.
“The amount of water in the river has decreased now, but it is impossible for us to go back down to the market and search for others because everything has been completely devastated,” he said.
‘Our focus is on finding our colleagues’
Dhungana said the employees and some local residents who managed to escape are staying together.
“There is no possibility of us going out ourselves to conduct rescue or search operations. The employees we have found and some local villagers are all staying together. There are around 40 to 50 people in the group,” he said.
He said they have little information about what has happened further upstream.
“Nothing has been spared in Timure Bazaar. We do not know what happened further up or what the situation is there. Right now, our focus is simply on staying safe and trying to find our colleagues,” Dhungana said.
The government has mobilised the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police for search, rescue and relief operations following the flood. Two Nepal Army helicopters with medical teams have also been sent towards the affected areas, while private helicopters have been kept on standby.
