KATHMANDU: A devastating flash flood early Tuesday morning in the Lhende River, near the Nepal-China border, has swept away the Miteri Bridge connecting Rasuwagadhi (Nepal) and Kerung (China), severing road access between the two countries.
The flood, which originated from China’s Lhende and Kerung rivers, gained force as it flowed into Nepal’s Bhote Koshi River, causing widespread destruction. The floodwaters swept away the customs office’s storage sheds in Rasuwa, several goods-laden container trucks, and dozens of electric vehicles.
According to Rasuwa’s Assistant Chief District Officer Dhruba Prasad Adhikari, 18 individuals — including three Nepal Police personnel — are reported missing. Seven bodies have been recovered so far, while 55 people have been rescued.
Severely affected areas:
Gosainkunda Rural Municipality (Wards 1, 2, 3)
Aamachhodingmo Rural Municipality (Wards 1, 2, 4, 5)
Uttargaya Rural Municipality (Wards 2, 4, 5)
Kalika Rural Municipality (Ward 1)
Damage report:
Nepal-China Miteri Bridge washed away, cutting off road access completely
Syafrubesi–Rasuwagadhi road section fully obstructed
Heavy damage to Rasuwa customs yard
Damage to electric vehicle charging station
Minor damage to Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project’s dam
Trucks, containers, and EVs awaiting customs clearance swept away
Damage to Timure dry port and customs facilities
Human remains found:
A male lower limb was recovered on the riverbank in Ward 5 of Uttargaya Rural Municipality.
Rescue operations:
9 males rescued by security forces
23 individuals (2 women, 21 men) airlifted by Nepal Army helicopter
Another 23 rescued by combined security teams
Among the rescued: 50 Nepalis, 4 Indians, 1 Chinese national
List of missing persons:
Lal Bahadur Shrestha (Nepal Police)
Muna Thakur (Nepal Police)
Lokendra Bohara (Nepal Police)
Jipan Chaudhary (Bardiya)
Santosh Dahit (Bardiya)
Buddhiram Tharu (Bardiya)
Laxminarayan Baru (Bardiya)
Suresh Tharu (Bardiya)
Narendra B.K. (Baglung)
Phurba Lama (Sindhupalchok)
Govinda Moktan (unknown address)
Lokman Tamang (unknown address)
Yu Yue (China)
Li Huaqing (China)
Yang Chuan (China)
Hai Hang (China)
You Xiao Qiu (China)
Jou Yong (China)
Authorities say that communication with Chinese counterparts has also been severed due to the destruction, making cross-border coordination difficult. Rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing.
Comment