A glacial collapse triggered the catastrophic flooding along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems, according to USGS
Nepal’s Bhotekoshi flash flood has killed at least 162 people and left hundreds missing after a glacial collapse triggered a debris flow near the Nepal-Tibet border, damaging settlements, bridges, highways and hydropower infrastructure.
Kathmandu: At least 162 people have been killed, and hundreds remain missing after a massive flash flood swept through parts of Nepal following a glacial collapse and debris flow near the Nepal-Tibet border. Nepal Police confirmed the death toll on Thursday morning, while rescue teams continue searching affected areas.
The disaster struck the Bhotekoshi River area on Wednesday morning and caused widespread destruction across settlements, infrastructure and hydropower sites along the Kathmandu-Kerung trade corridor. The floodwaters later moved into the Trishuli River basin.
A preliminary analysis by Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority indicated that an ice-rock avalanche around 20 kilometres northeast of the Rasuwa-Rasuwagadhi border crossing triggered the disaster. The Lhende River, a tributary of the Bhotekoshi, was reportedly blocked by the slide before a surge of water and debris moved through Timure and into the Trishuli system.
The US Geological Survey said seismic activity initially reported as an earthquake was instead caused by a glacial collapse and debris flow that produced catastrophic downstream impacts.
Nepal Flash Flood Death Toll Rises Across Districts
Nepal Police said the latest toll includes 64 bodies recovered in Chitwan, 27 in Dhading, 26 in Nawalparasi East, 20 in Gorkha, 12 in Nuwakot, nine in Tanahun, two in Rasuwa and two in Nawalparasi West.
The disaster has also affected security personnel. Nepal Police said 28 officers remain missing.
At least 41 injured people are receiving treatment at hospitals in the region. Those undergoing treatment include 20 people at TU Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj, nine at Trishuli Hospital, four at the Trauma Centre, three each at Bir Hospital and Norvic Hospital, and one at Birendra Military Hospital in Chhauni.
The destruction has severely disrupted transportation. Nineteen motorable bridges have been destroyed, while around 40 kilometres of paved highway have become impassable, complicating access to affected areas and rescue operations.
Authorities Warn of Further Flood Risks
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said the flooding caused “extreme damage” in Timure, Syafrubesi, Betrawati, Trishuli Bazaar and Devighat, while cautioning that the available information remained preliminary.
Authorities have urged people living along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli riverbanks in Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan districts to remain highly alert.
The public has also been advised to avoid the Galchhi-Nuwakot and Syafrubesi roads in Rasuwa, as well as the Mugling-Narayangadh road, until further notice.
The Cabinet has declared Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading as disaster crisis areas, allowing domestic and international relief funding to be mobilised. The government has also designated the affected area as a disaster-prone zone for three months.
Authorities said free medical care is being provided to injured people, while displaced residents are being relocated. The Nepal Army and private helicopter operators have been mobilised for search and rescue operations.
114 People Rescued by Helicopters
The Prime Minister’s Secretariat said the Nepali Army and private helicopter operators have airlifted 114 people to safety.
The Nepali Army accounted for 85 rescues, including 60 people flown from Timure to Dhunche, 13 from Timure to Trishuli, five from Mailung, four from Betrawati and three from Trishuli, with the rescued people subsequently taken towards Kathmandu.
Private helicopter operators rescued another 29 people. Kailash Helicopter, Prabhu Helicopter and Fishtail Air each transported five injured people to TU Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj. Simrik Air conducted two flights carrying three and two people, while Annapurna Helicopters rescued four people and Everest Air transported two. A second Prabhu Helicopter flight transported two people to Bir Hospital.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has also asked helicopter and drone operators, including the Air Service Operators Association Nepal and Nepal Drone Association, to coordinate search operations with district administrations, security agencies and local governments.
Stranded residents have been advised to light fires and create smoke signals to help rescuers identify their locations.
India, China and World Bank Mobilise Aid
India, China and the World Bank have moved to coordinate financial and relief assistance, according to Nepal’s Ministry of Finance.
World Bank Country Director for Nepal David Sislen told Finance Minister Swarnim Waglé that up to Rs 25 billion could potentially be mobilised in emergency assistance from various sources.
India has requested a list of urgently required relief materials, while Foreign Minister Khanal is coordinating the delivery of Indian supplies to Kathmandu.
China, through Ambassador Zhang Maoming, has pledged immediate cash assistance and instructed the Finance Ministry to begin the fund-transfer process.
Finance Minister Waglé is coordinating with relevant agencies on the receipt and use of the international assistance.
The flash flood has also affected foreign nationals and tourists in the region. Reports indicate that hundreds of people remain unaccounted for across Nepal and Tibet, including Indian nationals and tourists from several other countries.
Rescue operations remain underway as authorities continue searching affected settlements and assessing the full extent of the damage.
