Overview
- A sudden surge entered the Bhote Koshi River from the Tibetan side around 9 a.m. on Wednesday and swept through Rasuwa district, heavily damaging Timure and Syapru Besi and sending floodwaters into the Trishuli basin.
- Rescue operations by the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police are ongoing with helicopters deployed but access remains difficult and dozens of security personnel are reported missing.
- At least eight deaths have been confirmed and a preliminary Nepal Tourism Board list shows 384 travellers unaccounted for, including 291 foreign nationals and 105 Indians, with consular hotlines activated.
- The Nepal Electricity Authority reported damage to multiple hydropower and transmission sites, including six major facilities, producing large electricity and transport disruptions downstream.
- Authorities say local rainfall did not cause the surge and are investigating causes such as a glacial lake outburst flood, a landslide or an avalanche or earthquake-triggered event while downstream districts and neighbouring Indian states remain on high alert.