Heavy casualties feared as flash flood sweeps across parts of northern Nepal
The flood in Rasuwa - an area north of Kathmandu bordering Tibet - is feared to have swept away villages.
A significant loss of life is anticipated following a massive flash flood that tore through northern Nepal, obliterating villages and damaging critical infrastructure, including a hydropower dam.
The deluge struck early Wednesday in Rasuwa, a region situated north of Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, and bordering the Himalayan territory of Tibet. Officials attribute the flood to melting snow that surged into the Bhote Koshi river, which originates in Tibet and flows into Nepal.
Narendra Pariyar, Rasuwa's chief district officer, informed BBC Nepali that multiple downstream districts are on high alert. While officials anticipate extensive damage, he stated it is premature to quantify the full extent of the disaster.
Army spokesman Rajaram Basnet confirmed that twelve individuals have been rescued thus far, and search and rescue operations are ongoing.
Nepal's disaster management authority has urged residents in vulnerable areas near river banks to remain vigilant and implement precautionary measures.
Following an emergency meeting to assess the situation, Prime Minister Balendra Shah posted on social media, stating, "Work has started to take necessary steps in coordination with the medical team, scouts, and Red Cross."
Authorities reported that 13 officers from the armed police force are unaccounted for from two posts in Rasuwa district, and contact has been lost with dozens of other police officers.
Rasuwa, which lies along Nepal's primary trade route with China, experienced a fatal flood last year that claimed 18 lives after a glacier burst on the Chinese side of the border. Officials have indicated to the BBC that they believe the magnitude of Wednesday's disaster surpasses that of last year's floods.