Floods in Nepal: 9 Dead, 19 Missing, Rescue Efforts Underway

Rescue efforts are underway in Nepal after monsoon rains triggered a river flood in Rasuwa district, killing 9 and leaving 19 missing. Over 150 individuals, including 127 foreign nationals, have been rescued and airlifted to Kathmandu. Electricity and telephone services are disrupted, and search operations are ongoing for those missing. The cause of the flood is under investigation, with officials considering the outburst of a glacial lake near the Nepal-China border.

Rescue efforts are underway in Nepal after monsoon rains triggered a river flood in Rasuwa district, killing nine and leaving 19 missing. Over 150 individuals, including 127 foreign nationals, have been rescued and airlifted to Kathmandu. Electricity and telephone services are disrupted, and search operations are ongoing for those missing. The cause of the flood is under investigation, with officials considering the outburst of a glacial lake near the Nepal-China border.

The incident occurred on July 8 when the Bhotekoshi River flooded, destroying the Friendship Bridge at Rasuwagadhi, which is 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of the capital, Kathmandu. The bridge, a key trade link between Nepal and China, was swept away by the surging waters, halting all trade through this route [1].

The Nepali authorities have reported that 14 Nepali citizens and six Chinese nationals are missing, while 55 people have been rescued so far. Among the rescued are four Indians and a Chinese person. The Chinese Embassy in Nepal stated that the missing Chinese nationals were workers at a Chinese-assisted construction project on the Nepali side of the border [1].

The destruction of the bridge has halted all trade from China to Nepal through this route. The longer alternative is for goods to be shipped from China to India and then brought overland to Nepal. Monsoon rains that begin in June and end in September often cause severe flooding in Nepal, disrupting infrastructure and endangering lives [3].

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has stated that the cause of the flood is under investigation, but officials are considering the outburst of a glacial lake near the Nepal-China border as a possible cause. Past studies have shown that 47 glacial lakes are at risk of bursting due to melting ice, with 21 in Nepal, one in India, and 25 in Tibet [4].

The incident has highlighted the urgent need for improved early warning systems and cross-border cooperation to prevent such disasters in the future. The destruction of the bridge and the flooding have caused significant damage to infrastructure and disrupted the livelihoods of many people in the area [2].

The Nepalese government has dispatched rescue teams and security forces to the affected area. Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli has called for an emergency meeting and instructed all security forces and government offices to assist in the rescue and recovery efforts [3].

The flooding has also affected the hydropower infrastructure in the area, with multiple power stations rendered inoperable. The 111 MW Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project, 60 MW Trishuli 3A, 21 MW Trishuli, and 15 MW Devighat Hydropower Plant have been affected by the flood [2].

The incident underscores the vulnerability of Nepal to climate change and extreme weather events. The country is already facing challenges related to infrastructure development and economic growth, and the recent flood disaster has added to these challenges. The government will need to prioritize investment in infrastructure and disaster management to mitigate the impact of such events in the future.

References:
[1] https://apnews.com/article/nepal-china-border-flooding-missing-6503635b709c9f53b22516218e43d9a8
[2] https://www.tibetanreview.net/permafrost-collapse-triggered-devastating-flood-at-tibet-nepal-border-no-info-sharing/
[3] https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/rescuers-search-19-missing-recover-9-bodies-after-123595886
[4] https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/index.php/news/rasuwa-flood-update-here-are-the-18-missing-persons-with-names-70-84.html