Flash floods in Nepal have resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals and significant damage to key infrastructure, including the main bridge connecting Nepal to China. Emergency services are actively searching for missing persons affected by the disaster.
Tragic Flash Floods in Nepal Claim Lives and Destroy Key Bridge
Tragic Flash Floods in Nepal Claim Lives and Destroy Key Bridge
Severe flooding in Nepal's Rasuwa district leads to casualties and the destruction of the vital Nepal-China Friendship Bridge as search operations continue.
Deadly flash floods swept through the Rasuwa district of Nepal early Tuesday, claiming the lives of at least three people and destroying the Nepal-China Friendship Bridge. The tragic event has prompted an immediate response from search and rescue teams, who are working diligently to locate individuals reported missing in the devastating aftermath.
Officials revealed that the flooding caused extensive damage to the customs yard at the border crossing, where numerous vehicles and cargo containers were parked. Reports have also emerged of power outages from affected hydropower plants in the region. The Nepal Army and police have deployed helicopters to aid in rescue operations, successfully saving nine individuals so far. However, the search continues for a number of missing persons, including three police officers, nine Nepali civilians, and six Chinese nationals.
According to Binod Ghimire, a spokesperson for Nepal’s police, the officers who went missing were attempting to assist in the rescue efforts when they were swept away by the floodwaters. Most of the civilians unaccounted for are believed to be drivers who facilitate the transport of goods across the border.
Nepal's mountainous geography makes it particularly susceptible to flash floods, and climate change has exacerbated the frequency and severity of such natural disasters over recent years. Monsoon seasons, which typically run from June to September, have become increasingly perilous, with devastating effects on local communities reliant on agriculture.
The situation is dire on both sides of the Himalayas; the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh has also faced significant loss, with close to 80 fatalities and numerous missing individuals since late June due to similar weather conditions. Recent reports indicate that at least 14 individuals have died across five Indian states in relation to the ongoing flooding and landslides.
Mujib Mashal and Hari Kumar contributed to this report from New Delhi.
