In a tragic turn of events, flash floods in Nepal have claimed the lives of at least three individuals and destroyed a vital bridge connecting Nepal to China. The natural disaster, which began on Tuesday morning, primarily affected the Rasuwa district home to the Nepal-China Friendship Bridge. Preliminary evaluations indicate significant damage to the customs area at the border, where numerous vehicles and cargo containers were stationed. Additionally, several hydropower plants were damaged, leading to widespread power outages.
Deadly Flash Floods in Nepal Disrupt Cross-Border Connectivity
Deadly Flash Floods in Nepal Disrupt Cross-Border Connectivity
Search and rescue missions are in progress following severe flooding that has caused multiple fatalities and major infrastructural damage.
Local authorities, including Nepal’s army and police forces, have deployed helicopters to conduct search and rescue operations, managing to save nine individuals thus far. Sadly, the missing persons list includes three police officers and a total of fifteen civilians: nine Nepalis and six Chinese nationals. Reports indicate that the police officers were among those swept away while attempting to assist others during the crisis, with many civilians being goods transport drivers at the busy border crossing.
Nepal's topography increases its vulnerability to flash floods, a situation exacerbated by changing climate dynamics. Incidents of erratic rainfall, floods, landslides, and glacial lake outbursts have worsened in frequency and intensity in recent years. The Nepalese government reported that nearly 500 individuals lost their lives to monsoon-related disasters in the previous year. The current monsoon season, which started in June and will continue until September, has already resulted in significant damage and loss of life on both sides of the Himalayas, with the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh experiencing substantial fatalities and missing persons due to similar weather-related incidents.
In the last 24 hours alone, Indian government data indicated that at least 14 people died due to heavy rains and flooding across five states, further illustrating the widespread impact of this relentless monsoon season.
Mujib Mashal and Hari Kumar contributed reporting from New Delhi.
Nepal's topography increases its vulnerability to flash floods, a situation exacerbated by changing climate dynamics. Incidents of erratic rainfall, floods, landslides, and glacial lake outbursts have worsened in frequency and intensity in recent years. The Nepalese government reported that nearly 500 individuals lost their lives to monsoon-related disasters in the previous year. The current monsoon season, which started in June and will continue until September, has already resulted in significant damage and loss of life on both sides of the Himalayas, with the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh experiencing substantial fatalities and missing persons due to similar weather-related incidents.
In the last 24 hours alone, Indian government data indicated that at least 14 people died due to heavy rains and flooding across five states, further illustrating the widespread impact of this relentless monsoon season.
Mujib Mashal and Hari Kumar contributed reporting from New Delhi.
