Suspected glacial lake outburst triggers catastrophic flood in Nepal
Flash flood devastates Rasuwa, disrupts hydropower and China trade route as authorities warn communities downstream to Narayanghat
A catastrophic flash flood surged down the Bhotekoshi River on Wednesday morning, wreaking widespread destruction across Rasuwa district and prompting emergency alerts for downstream communities as far as Narayanghat. Local residents described the deluge, which struck around 8 am, as one of the most severe floods in recent decades.
Authorities suspect the disaster may have been triggered by a glacial lake outburst upstream in Tibet. Rasuwa Chief District Officer Narendra Pariyar noted that there was no rainfall in the district headquarters at the time of the flooding, pointing to an upstream event as the likely cause.
The floodwaters are believed to have swept through the historic town of Betrabati and caused extensive damage in Timure and Syafrubesi. Videos circulating on social media show scenes of heavy devastation, with floodwaters raging through settlements and infrastructure.
Emergency alerts have been issued for communities along the Trishuli River, including Trishuli, Galchi, Batarey, and extending down to Narayanghat. Authorities in five districts—Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, and Chitwan—have urged residents to move to safer locations.
The flood has severely impacted tourism, with thousands of trekkers on the Langtang route affected, particularly those heading towards Gosaikunda. Multiple hydropower projects along the Bhotekoshi River have been swept away or severely damaged. According to the Independent Energy Producers’ Association, Nepal, over ten projects have been affected, with production halted at facilities including the 111-MW Rasuwagadhi, Chilime, and Trishuli-3A hydropower projects.
The Rasuwagadhi border point—a vital trade route with China—has been disrupted. With the Dashain festival approaching, the disruption is expected to severely impact the supply of goods. Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle is leading a high-level team coordinating with the Timure Customs Office on response efforts.
The exact cause of the flood and the full extent of the damage remain under investigation.
