Kathmandu, July 10
The bustling trade gateway of Rasuwagadhi, connecting Nepal and China, was reduced to rubble within moments after a glacial flood struck the region. A massive surge of water from Tibet’s Gegrang area caused severe damage to the scenic hilly landscape of Rasuwa.
The flood became catastrophic on the morning of July 8 when water from Tibet’s Kerung and Lhende rivers merged with Nepal’s Bhotekoshi River. Key infrastructure, including the Nepal-China Friendship Bridge, Timure customs office, hydropower projects, electric vehicle charging stations, and roads, have been severely damaged or completely washed away.
Authorities have confirmed at least nine deaths, with 20 individuals still missing. Several cargo trucks and electric vehicles waiting for customs clearance were swept away by the floodwaters.
According to the Rasuwa District Administration Office, around 120 kilometers of road have been destroyed, completely cutting off the Syabrubesi–Rasuwagadhi section. Stranded locals, including families with children, are trapped between broken paths. Security personnel are risking their lives to help them cross cliffs and rivers using ropes and makeshift wooden planks. The scenes are harrowing—there is no way forward, and no way back.
In many places, people are forced to cling to rocky outcrops to traverse narrow and treacherous paths. Still, security forces continue to help civilians cross from one side to the other using ropes, planks, and sheer human effort. Fear fills their eyes, but their hearts carry hope and courage.
A stern test for the state
The scale of human loss is heartbreaking. In some places, body parts have been recovered, and DNA testing will be required for identification.
This catastrophe is beyond words. The current condition of Rasuwagadhi is not just a natural disaster—it is a harsh test of our state systems, our disaster preparedness, and our commitment to citizen safety. The flood has not only destroyed infrastructure—it has washed away dreams, hard-earned livelihoods, and the very foundation of life for many families.
In this moment of mourning, a united effort from the state, civil society, and the international community is crucial—to provide immediate relief, long-term resettlement, and the reconstruction of vital infrastructure.
