Nepal-China border flood has left 12 Nepali and six Chinese nationals missing after a devastating flood hit the Lhendekhola region along the Himalayan border on Tuesday morning. Local officials confirmed to ANI that the disaster washed away bridges, electric vehicles, and parts of the Pasang Lhamu Highway, severely affecting the Rasuwa district.
According to Druba Prasad Adhikari, Assistant Chief District Officer of Rasuwagadhi, a total of 18 people — including 3 police officers, 9 civilians, and 6 Chinese workers are currently unaccounted for following the Nepal-China border flood.
Flood Washes Out Highway, Cuts Off Rasuwagadhi
The Nepal-China border flood has severely damaged the Syafrubesi-Rasuwagadhi section of the highway under Gosainkunda Rural Municipality-2, triggering landslides and collapsing roads. Transportation and rescue operations have been significantly hampered as heavy rainfall continues to feed the rising water levels.
“The weather is the main problem in the rescue efforts,” said Adhikari, who added that the Nepal-China border flood has made it nearly impossible to reach the affected areas on foot or by vehicle.
Emergency Rescue Operations Underway
In response to the Nepal-China border flood, the Armed Police Force (APF) Nepal has deployed a 21-member emergency rescue team led by Assistant Inspector Rabindra Dahal. The team includes seven specially trained responders from the APF base.
However, with river levels still dangerously high, rescue operations remain extremely difficult. Authorities have urged locals to stay away from riverbanks and avoid non-essential travel in affected regions.
200 MW Hydropower Capacity Lost
The Nepal-China border flood has also caused massive damage to major hydropower plants in Rasuwa. According to Baburaja Maharjan, CEO of Chilime Hydropower Company, approximately 200 megawatts (MW) of electricity generation has been completely halted.
Several key projects have been rendered inoperable, including:
- 111 MW Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project
- 60 MW Trishuli 3A
- 21 MW Trishuli Hydropower
- 15 MW Devighat Hydropower Plant
“The Rasuwagadhi project’s entire external infrastructure has been destroyed,” Maharjan stated. He emphasized that resuming operations in the near term is not feasible due to the extent of the damage from the Nepal-China border flood.
EVs and Customs Yard Washed Away
In addition to infrastructure, the Nepal-China border flood swept away eight electric vehicles from an EV charging station in Timure and nine container units from the Rasuwa Customs Yard. The Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project’s dam also sustained significant structural damage.
Situation Still Critical
Authorities continue to monitor the river’s flow and surrounding terrain as the Nepal-China border flood threatens to cause further landslides. The Armed Police Force and local disaster teams remain on high alert, though access remains limited due to blocked roads and ongoing rains.
Despite the losses, officials believe that Nepal’s national electricity supply won’t suffer immediate shortages, thanks to other hydropower projects currently operating at full capacity during the monsoon season.
Still, the Nepal-China border flood serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of high-altitude infrastructure and the increasing risks posed by extreme weather events. (ANI)
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