Rasuwa: It hadn’t even rained that heavy in the morning on the 26th of August, Wednesday and the previous day as well. There was no sign at all that a flood of that volume and intensity would occur in the Bhotekoshi river in Rasuwa which flows down as Trishuli in Nuwakot and beyond.
According to National News Agency Nepal, in the morning, people were busy with their daily routines when the Bhotekoshi suddenly surged. The settlements that were once surrounded by lush green fields were quickly turned into ruins. Many lives were lost, hundreds of people are missing, and some are injured. The flood has left a trail of destruction, with homes, fields, and businesses destroyed, and families in distress.
The flood caused massive destruction in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts, with the damage being particularly severe in Rasuwa and Nuwakot. The normally calm river turned terrifying, sweeping away stones, soil, wood, and debris. Property built over years was destroyed in minutes, and roads, bridges, and other infrastructure were washed away.
Kaisang Nurpu Tamang, the chairperson of Gosaikunda Rural Municipality in Rasuwa, described the disaster as a nightmare. Local government teams are working on rescue and relief efforts, but resources are limited. Tamang stressed the need for coordination among all levels of government, security agencies, and supporting organizations.
The flood news spread rapidly through media and social networks, with video clips going viral. People were seen fleeing for their lives, carrying children, helping the elderly, and seeking shelter on rooftops. Last year, a flood also occurred in the Lhende River along the Nepal-China border in Rasuwa, and this year’s flood was even more devastating.
The flood forecasting division had issued warnings, but the hydrological measurement center at Bhotekoshi-Syafrubesi was washed away, disrupting data flow. According to flood expert Saraswati Bista, alerts were sent to locals via SMS, urging them to move to safer places.
More than 679,000 SMS alerts were sent to residents in downstream areas, which, according to Mayor Bhim Prasad Dhungana of Nilkantha municipality in Dhading, helped save many lives. The flood occurred after a snow-rock slide at the Nepal-China border, with preliminary assessments indicating that a glacier-rock collapse in China triggered the disaster.
A study by ICIMOD and UNDP identified 47 potentially dangerous glacial lakes in the region. The warming climate has increased glacier melt, posing risks of floods and other hazards to human settlements and infrastructure.
Psychiatrists warn that such disasters can lead to mental health issues. Senior Psychiatrist Basudev Karki notes that the sudden loss and fear of recurrence can cause mental stress among the affected population.