105 Indians Missing in Nepal Flash Floods, Check Helpline Numbers
Sudden Bhote Koshi River flood sweeps through Rasuwa, damaging homes, vehicles and power infrastructure.
Kathmandu: At least 105 Indians are among nearly 400 people reported missing after devastating flash floods struck Nepal's Rasuwa district bordering Tibet on Wednesday, officials said.
According to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), a total of 384 travellers — including 291 foreigners and 93 Nepalese nationals — have gone missing in the Rasuwa floods. The missing foreign travellers include 105 Indian tourists and 37 non-resident Indians (NRIs), while others are from the US, Malaysia, the UK, South Africa, Australia and the Netherlands.
The Nepal Tourism Board has issued emergency contact numbers for travellers and their families seeking information or assistance. They can contact the toll-free number 1234, hotline 1144, or Tourist Police at 9851289445.
A sudden and massive flood swept through the Bhote Koshi River at around 9 am local time, affecting Rasuwa and Dhading districts bordering Tibet as well as Nuwakot district, southwest of Kathmandu. At least four people were killed and extensive damage was reported in settlements along the river.
Several hydropower projects were also damaged, while roads and other infrastructure were swept away, making parts of the affected region inaccessible.
Narendra Pariyar, Chief District Officer of Rasuwa, said the flooding hit the main market area, including Syaprubesi.
"A sudden flood in Rasuwa has caused damage to the market area including Syaprubesi. Initial reports have come that the flood that has been occurring for some time has caused great damage to the settlement and market area. The exact details of the flood damage have not yet been received," Pariyar told ANI over the phone.
He said the flooding was particularly sudden and occurred despite clear weather in the area.
"It has not rained here. The sun is shining here. It is not clear whether the glacier burst upstream or what happened. The flood was sudden," Pariyar said.
The exact cause of the flood has not yet been officially confirmed. The Kathmandu Post reported that officials at Nepal's Flood Forecasting Division received informal information suggesting that a landslide may have temporarily blocked a river in Tibet before the swollen water suddenly broke through.
The flood has prompted authorities to issue alerts in several districts downstream. Residents living along riverbanks in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan have been advised to remain alert and move to safer locations as water levels in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers rise.
The Nepal government has deployed two Army helicopters for search and rescue operations. Prime Minister Balendra Shah has also called a meeting to review the flooding and coordinate the government's response.
