Kathmandu: A powerful flood has once again surged through the Lhende River, which originates from Tibet, China, causing significant damage in Rasuwa district early Wednesday morning.
At around 2:00 AM, water levels in the Lhende River—located in Gosaikunda Rural Municipality-2—rose sharply due to increased water flow from the Chinese side, triggering a massive flood. The surge swept away a dharamkanta (weighbridge) located at the customs yard in Timure.
The Chinese authorities had issued a warning to Nepal on Tuesday, alerting of heavy rainfall in the adjoining Tibetan region that could potentially cause flooding. This prediction materialized just hours later.
Floodwaters from the Lhende River have now merged with the Bhotekoshi River, significantly raising water levels in both Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers. Locals have reported that the rivers are flowing well above normal levels.
Authorities have urged residents living along the banks of the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts to remain on high alert and adopt precautionary measures.
Several riverside areas have already been submerged. According to the Rasuwa District Administration Office, the Uttargaya Dham, located near the Nuwakot-Rasuwa border, has been inundated.
This is not the first instance of flooding in the region. A major flood on in early July had already washed away the Nepal–China Friendship Bridge along with the Timure customs yard and a nearby hydropower project. With the bridge gone, cross-border transportation through this route remains completely cut off.
Heavy rainfall in both Rasuwa and the Tibetan region on Tuesday is believed to be the cause of the latest flooding.
Krishna Prasad Humagai, the Assistant Chief District Officer of Nuwakot, reported that the flood has eroded riverbanks in several areas including Pairebensi, Betrabati, Trishuli, and Devighat. With floodwaters nearing residential settlements, local authorities have urged residents to stay in safe locations.
Nepal Police and Armed Police Force personnel are currently using loudspeakers to alert riverside communities and urge evacuation to safer grounds. The flood has also caused damage near the Trishuli-Kathmandu transmission line station in Kispang Rural Municipality-5 of Nuwakot and surrounding areas of Uttargaya in Rasuwa.
Water levels in regions such as Trishuli-3B Hub and surrounding areas in Kispang and Uttargaya have shown a sharp rise, prompting further concern.
According to Rasuwa’s Assistant Chief District Officer Druva Prasad Adhikari, flood levels have not yet subsided, and further damages could occur. Authorities have issued multiple warnings and are closely monitoring the situation. Fortunately, there have been no reports of casualties or loss of life so far.
By around 3:30 AM Wednesday, floodwaters had reached Bidur Municipality in Nuwakot, prompting warnings for residents of downstream areas, especially along the Trishuli River in Galchhi Rural Municipality, Dhading district.
Authorities continue to maintain high alert and readiness as the situation develops.
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