Kathmandu [Nepal], July 8 (ANI): A total of 18 people — including 12 Nepali and six Chinese nationals — are missing after a massive flood struck the Nepal-China border area on Tuesday morning, local officials confirmed to ANI.
The flood in the Lhendekhola, which flows from Tibet into Nepal, washed away bridges and vehicles and severely damaged sections of the Pasang Lhamu Highway, cutting off access to Rasuwagadhi and disrupting connectivity across Rasuwa district.
“Eighteen people, including three police officials, nine civilians, and six Chinese nationals, have been confirmed missing after the flooding incident. A search and rescue operation has been initiated, but the weather has become the main problem,” said Druba Prasad Adhikari, Assistant Chief District Officer of Rasuwagadhi, speaking to ANI by phone.
According to authorities, intense rainfall triggered the flood, which blocked the Syafrubesi-Rasuwagadhi section of the highway under Gosainkunda Rural Municipality-2, causing landslides and severe erosion. The damage has hindered both transportation and ongoing rescue operations in the affected areas.
The Armed Police Force (APF) Nepal reported that the surging Bhotekoshi River swept away eight electric vehicles from a charging station in Timure and nine container units from the Rasuwa Customs Yard. The Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project’s dam also sustained significant damage.
An emergency team of 21 personnel, including seven specially trained responders led by Assistant Inspector Rabindra Dahal, has been deployed from the APF base. However, with river levels still dangerously high, rescue efforts remain challenging.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have urged the public to avoid riverbanks and travel in the area only if necessary.
The flooding has also caused extensive damage to major hydropower projects in Rasuwa, halting electricity generation of up to 200 megawatts.
“From a national grid perspective, 200 MW may not sound critical,” said Baburaja Maharjan, CEO of Chilime Hydropower Company, “but the Rasuwagadhi project’s entire external infrastructure has been completely destroyed.”
Maharjan explained that the floodwaters sweeping through Kerung and Lhendekhola have left several power stations inoperable, including the 111 MW Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project, the 60 MW Trishuli 3A, the 21 MW Trishuli, and the 15 MW Devighat Hydropower Plant.
Due to the scale of the destruction — particularly at Rasuwagadhi and Trishuli 3A — he said resuming operations in the near term is not feasible. Projects along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli corridors have also been heavily affected, with no immediate prospects of restarting electricity production.
Despite the setback, Maharjan noted the overall impact on Nepal’s electricity supply may be minimal for now, as most of the country’s hydropower plants are operating at full capacity thanks to the monsoon season. (ANI)
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