Catastrophic flash floods along the Bhotekoshi River in Nepal’s Rasuwa district left at least 157 people dead and hundreds missing, including over 130 Indian nationals. Triggered by an ice-rock avalanche along the Tibet border, the surge destroyed 19 bridges, 40 km of highways, and multiple hydropower projects. Prime Minister Balendra Shah mobilized national emergency forces, while India dispatched its first tranche of relief materials via IAF transport aircraft.
Scientists at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) preliminary attribute the disaster to a massive high-altitude ice-rock avalanche along the Tibet border. The avalanche crashed into the Lende Khola tributary, creating a debris surge that swept downstream into the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems without prior weather warnings or local rainfall.
157 lost lives in Nepal Floods:
At least 157 deaths have been officially confirmed across affected mountain districts including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading. Over 700 individuals remain unaccounted for, including security personnel, power plant employees, and nearly 400 foreign tourists. Among the missing are at least 133 Indian nationals, many of whom were traveling along the border route for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra.
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Indian Rescue Operation:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke directly with Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah to express deep condolences and commit full humanitarian support. The Indian government dispatched an initial tranche of emergency relief supplies aboard a C-130J aircraft from Hindon Airbase. The Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu set up 24/7 emergency helplines (+977 985 131 6807 / +977 970 910 7500) to assist families of missing travelers.
