RASUWA: The Chinese side has begun using heavy equipment to release water dammed in the Kerung River, blocked by debris from the recent flood in the Lhende River.
According to local border security officials, the flood caused massive blockages at the confluence of the Lhende and Kerung rivers, leading to water accumulation on the Chinese side of the border.
Large boulders, tree trunks, and debris have obstructed the flow, submerging more than 30 containers and parts of the highway leading to China.
The containers, which were returning from Kerung on July 7, had not entered Nepal due to timing issues and were stranded in Tibet when the flood struck that night. Border officials confirmed that some nearby houses and vehicles parked along the highway were also submerged.
Tulsi Prasad Bhattarai, Chief Customs Officer at Rasuwa, reported that 70 electric vehicles, six large Chinese trucks, and 24 Nepali containers already cleared by the customs office but awaiting drivers were swept away by the flood. Some damaged vehicles are now being moved to safer locations.
On July 8, the sudden flash flood in the Lhende River swept away six Chinese nationals, three Nepali police officers, and five Nepali workers, according to Wang, a senior Chinese technician based in Rasuwagadhi.
Assistant Chief District Officer Druba Prasad Adhikari confirmed that a total of 20 individuals, including six Nepali drivers and workers with a Chinese construction company, were reported missing in the disaster.
The flood also swept away one tipper truck, a cement mixer, an excavator, a road roller, and a Hilux jeep belonging to Tibet Fully Construction, the company responsible for building the dry port in Rasuwagadhi.
“A sudden surge in the river prompted security personnel to yell for everyone to evacuate. We ran to safety, but some of our colleagues couldn’t escape in time,” said a worker from the company, describing how they fled to Ghattekhola to save their lives.
Kami Tshiring Tamang, Chairperson of Gosainkunda Rural Municipality–2, said, “As soon as I heard about the flood, I rushed to alert those at the customs yard and urged residents in high-risk areas to evacuate. Despite our efforts, the damage and loss of life have been devastating. We are now overwhelmed with grief.”
Chairperson Tamang urged the government to prepare a detailed damage report, provide relief to the flood-affected families, and create conditions for the safe return of stranded Nepalis in Kerung.
Local resident Purushottam Poudel said arrangements have been made for returning pilgrims from the Mansarovar-Kailash journey to enter Nepal via the Tatopani border crossing after the Miteri Bridge in Rasuwagadhi was swept away. Chief District Officer Arjun Poudel confirmed that pilgrims who completed the journey were airlifted to their destinations on July 8 and 9.
According to him, teams from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force are actively involved in rescue operations and providing support to those in need.
With most road sections between Syafrubesi and Rasuwagadhi destroyed by the flood, the area remains inaccessible, and normal life has come to a standstill. Ward Chair Tamang added that efforts are now underway to assess the damage, although fear and uncertainty continue to grip the local community.
Comment