72 Dead, Dozens of Security Personnel Missing in Rasuwa Flood

A devastating flash flood originating from Tibet's Lhende stream has overwhelmed Nepal's northern Rasuwa district, leaving at least 72 people dead and sweeping through key settlements along the Bhote Koshi river basin. The sudden deluge on Wednesday morning triggered widespread destruction across Timure, Syaphrubesi, and Mailung, overwhelming local infrastructure and triggering a major emergency response.

The disaster has dealt a severe blow to security forces stationed near the border. Official reports confirm that 44 Nepal Army personnel, an Armed Police Force (APF) team led by Inspector Ambir Khatri, and nearly 30 Nepal Police officers remain missing. Authorities noted that while the APF border outpost building survived intact, multiple duty personnel were swept away during early morning patrol.

Search and recovery teams have located 72 bodies downstream along the Trishuli river system spanning Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, and Chitwan districts. Police officials confirmed that six bodies were recovered along the riverbanks in Gorkha alone, while families continue searching for missing civilians who had traveled to the area for work.

With ground access cut off by landslides and damaged bridges, emergency operations launched an extensive aerial campaign. Nepal Army and private helicopter operators completed 49 flights, successfully airlifting 114 stranded survivors and transporting critically injured individuals to medical facilities in Kathmandu.

Following the transboundary catastrophe, hydrological authorities from Nepal and the China Meteorological Administration held an emergency virtual meeting. Both nations agreed to establish immediate real-time weather data exchange protocols to monitor shared river basins and improve early warning capabilities for future flash floods.