Nepal flash flood: 105 Indians among 384 missing in Rasuwa; rescue operations underway

Around 105 Indian nationals are among 384 travellers reported missing after a sudden flash flood swept through Nepal’s Rasuwa district near the Tibet border on Wednesday, August 26, according to the Nepal Tourism Board.

The preliminary list released by the Nepal Tourism Board comprises 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali nationals. India accounts for the largest identified group among the foreign travellers, with 105 Indian nationals reported missing. The list also includes nationals from Australia, the Netherlands, the United States, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and South Africa.

The board clarified that the list is preliminary and that efforts are underway to verify the whereabouts and safety of those listed.

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Flash flood sweeps through Rasuwa

The flash flood surged through the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa at around 9 am local time, with the water reportedly coming from the direction of Tibet. The sudden rise in water caused extensive destruction in the Timure and Syafrubesi areas, washing away vehicles, goods, bridges, and other infrastructure.

The disaster has also affected Nepal’s key trade route with Tibet, with infrastructure around Rasuwagadhi, an important border crossing, damaged in the flooding. According to officials, several settlements along the river have been affected, while hydropower and other infrastructure projects have also suffered damage.

Rescue operations underway

The Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police have been deployed for search-and-rescue operations in Rasuwa and neighbouring areas. The Nepal Army has deployed helicopters and disaster-response teams to reach affected locations and assist those stranded.

The Nepal Army said, “The work of collecting details of the damage is underway.”

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Nepal Police spokesperson Deputy Inspector General Abinarayan Kafle also described the scale of the disaster, saying, "We do not exactly know the extent of damage, but the flood is big, and it could have damaged many settlements."

Kafle added, “We have alerted people who are staying near the riverside to relocate... and deployed all our resources.”

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Tourism board urges caution

The Nepal Tourism Board is coordinating with travel agencies, guides, local authorities and security agencies to establish the whereabouts of the missing travellers. The preliminary nature of the list means that the missing status of those named is still being verified.

The latest figures come as rescue teams continue to assess the extent of the devastation and search for people who may have been stranded or cut off by the floodwaters. The situation remains fluid, with authorities continuing search-and-rescue operations across the affected areas.