KATHMANDU: At least 162 people have died and hundreds remain missing after a flash flood swept through Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts on Wednesday morning, according to Nepal Police.

The flood hit the Bhotekoshi River at around 8:40 am, causing widespread destruction in border settlements, hydropower projects and infrastructure along the Kathmandu–Kerung trade corridor before flowing into the Trishuli River basin.

A preliminary satellite analysis by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority indicated that an ice-rock avalanche around 20 kilometres northeast of the Rasuwa–Rasuwagadhi border crossing blocked the Lhende River, a tributary of the Bhotekoshi. The resulting surge of debris swept through Timure and downstream areas.

Chitwan recorded the highest number of casualties with 64 deaths, followed by Dhading with 27, Nawalparasi East 26, Gorkha 20, Nuwakot 12, Tanahun 9, and Rasuwa and Nawalparasi West with two each. Twenty-eight police personnel are also still missing.

At least 41 injured people are receiving treatment at hospitals across the region, including 20 at TU Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj.

The disaster has also caused extensive infrastructure damage. Nineteen motorable bridges have been destroyed and around 40 kilometres of paved roads have become impassable, severely disrupting transport and rescue operations.

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said Timure, Syafrubesi, Betrawati, Trishuli Bazaar and Devighat suffered extensive damage. Authorities have urged residents to remain highly alert along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli riverbanks and advised the public to avoid several affected road sections.

The government has declared Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading disaster crisis areas and said it is providing free medical treatment, relocating displaced residents and mobilising security forces and helicopters for rescue operations.

114 Rescued by Air

The Nepali Army and private helicopter operators have so far airlifted 114 people to safety. The army rescued 85 people, while private helicopter companies evacuated another 29 injured and stranded people to Kathmandu hospitals.

Authorities have also asked helicopter and drone operators to coordinate search-and-rescue efforts with local administrations and security agencies. Stranded people have been advised to use smoke or fires to signal their locations.

International Aid Mobilised

India, China and the World Bank have moved to provide emergency assistance to Nepal.

World Bank Country Director for Nepal David Sislen told Finance Minister Swarnim Waglé that up to Rs 25 billion could be mobilised in emergency assistance from various sources.

India has requested details of urgently required relief materials, while China has pledged immediate cash assistance. The Finance Ministry is coordinating with relevant agencies on receiving and using the international aid.

Authorities have warned that the risk remains high in areas along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers as rescue and relief operations continue.