HighLights
  1. Flash floods in Nepal leave several dead, hundreds missing.
  2. Hydropower projects, infrastructure extensively damaged in Rasuwa.
  3. Bihar on high alert, India prepares for downstream impact.

Nepal Flash Flood Updates: Neighbouring country, Nepal, has been reeling under devastating flash floods, leaving at least 100 people dead and hundreds missing. At least 133 Indians are among the nearly 750 persons missing after the raging flash floods hit Nepal's Rasuwa district bordering Tibet on Wednesday. The Nepal Tourism Board also issued a toll-free emergency number 1234 or hotline 1144 or tourist police 9851289445 for help.

A sudden, massive flood swept through two central Nepal districts bordering Tibet, causing extensive devastation at settlements along the river and damaging at least a dozen hydropower projects early Wednesday. The flood surged through the Bhote Koshi River at around 9 am (local time), coming from the Tibet side, affecting Rasuwa and Dhading districts bordering Tibet and Nuwakot district, southwest of Kathmandu.

ALSO READ: Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Pilgrims Among 105 Indians Missing As Flash Floods Unleash Havoc In Nepal

Here Are The Latest Updates On The Nepal Flood Disaster

- Bihar remained on high alert as floodwaters from Nepal entered the Gandak river and reached the Gandak Barrage, prompting authorities to open all 36 gates to control the surge.

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- The international bus service running between Delhi and Kathmandu is currently continuing. The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) is continuously monitoring the flood situation in Nepal. According to a senior official of the Transport Department, no decision has been taken yet to suspend the bus service, and bus operations between the two countries are continuing normally.

- India dispatched 10 tonnes of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) supplies along with essential medicines to support Nepal. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar posted on X, "India’s HADR and medical assistance has reached Kathmandu. More assistance is being mobilised to support relief efforts.

- Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "warm words of solidarity" and offering all possible humanitarian assistance to the flood-hit country for the rescue and relief operations.

- Four tourists from two cities in Maharashtra were stuck in Nepal amid flash floods. Officials said they were safe. Maharashtra disaster management authorities have established communication with the four, including two each from Mumbai and Pune. He said authorities are preparing a list of people from Maharashtra who could have been stranded in Nepal due to the floods.

- Authorities in India said the whereabouts of 37 of the 57 tourists from Tamil Nadu are yet to be ascertained, while 20 others have been accounted for. A team of 36 people from Kerala touring Nepal was safe and away from the areas affected by the devastating flash floods.

- In his first reaction to the Nepal disaster, Prime Minister Balendra Shah urged people to stay united as the Himalayan state faced unprecedented flash floods. "Respected parents, sisters and brothers, Today I am standing with you with a heavy heart. Massive human and physical damage caused by sudden flooding in Rasuwa's Bhotekoshi river this morning has shocked and shocked the whole country. This unexpected thunder of a natural disaster has pushed many of our brothers, sisters and young children in deep pain.The sad news is that more than 50 of our beloved citizens have lost their lives so far due to the flood. On behalf of the Nepal Government and personally, I extend my heartfelt condolences to all those who lost their lives," he said in a Facebook post.

- Spiritual leader Sadhguru said 77 pilgrims from his organisation, Isha Foundation, are missing after flash floods hit Nepal. "Of the 21 groups who are part of our Sojourn, 495 people have already returned safely. 743 people are currently in Tibet, 148 people are in Nepal, and 77 people were at the immigration center, and 3 volunteers in Timure, Nepal," he wrote on X. 

- Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks to his Nepali counterpart Balendra Shah, showing solidarity with the neighbouring country. "Spoke to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods in Nepal. The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time. India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Our teams are coordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts," PM Modi wrote on X.

-  In view of this, a high alert has been issued in 8 districts of Bihar. These districts include West Champaran (Bettiah), East Champaran (Motihari), Gopalganj, Saran, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Sitamarhi, and Sheohar.

- The impact of the flood in Nepal is also being observed in the eastern districts of Uttar Pradesh. Continuous monitoring is being carried out on the water levels of the Rohin, Gandak, and other tributary rivers in Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Siddharthnagar, and Kushinagar. The UP administration has heightened vigilance in all low-lying areas adjoining the Nepal border and advised villagers not to go near the rivers.

- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath posted on X, saying that the damage caused by the severe flood in the Bhote Koshi river in the Rasuwa region of Nepal is extremely worrying.

-In view of the threat of floods in Bihar due to torrential rains and glacier outburst in Nepal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary over the phone. The Home Minister assured the state government of all possible assistance to deal with the potential crisis. NDRF is being mobilised to handle any emergency situation.

- As flash floods wreaked havoc in Nepal, authorities in India stepped up preparations to deal with the situation that could arise due to the heavy flow of water downstream. The flooding also caused extensive damage in the affected areas, prompting authorities in neighbouring regions of India to intensify monitoring and precautionary measures. The Bihar chief minister said that a high-level committee has been constituted to continuously monitor the developing situation. "A high-level team has been constituted. The Chief Secretary and the DGP are monitoring this, and I am also holding a meeting immediately. If necessary, I will go there myself," he told reporters.

ALSO READ: Nepal Flash Floods: Bihar Districts On High Alert As Gandak River Water Level Rises After Floods; Check Advisory

- According to a statement by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), a total of 384 travellers, 291 foreigners and 93 Nepalese nationals, have gone missing due to the Rasuwa floods. These travellers include 105 Indian tourists, 37 NRIs and remaining tourists from the USA, Malaysia, the UK, South Africa, Australia and the Netherlands.

- The tourism board urged tourists in the affected areas to remain calm, stay informed through official channels and follow all safety instructions issued by the authorities.

- In view of the situation, Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah has consulted with federal parliamentarians from the affected areas, including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan.

ALSO READ: Nepal Floods: Video Captures Moment Disaster Struck Rasuwa, Sweeping Away Houses, Bridges And 42-Km Road Linking China

- Multiple downstream districts, including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Chitawan, have been placed on high alert even as officials started search and rescue operations with the help of Nepal Army in the affected areas. The sudden rise in water caused widespread destruction in Timure in Rasuwa district and the nearby Syafrubesi area, with vehicles, goods and other property washed away, the Nepal Army said in a statement. The most affected is Rasuwa, about 125 kms northeast of Kathmandu, situated near the Tibet border.

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- Rasuwa Chief Customs Officer Rajendra Dhungana said numerous vehicles and goods kept at the customs premises were swept away. A recently constructed bridge was also destroyed. This is a place which regulates Nepal's trade traffic connecting Tibet, China.

- The flash flood damaged eight hydropower projects in operation with a total capacity of 354 MW and five under construction projects located in Nuwakot and Rasuwa districts, according to a statement by Independent Power Producers' Association Nepal (IPPAN). The major in-operation hydropower projects damaged by the floods include Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project (111 MW), Sanjen Khola Hydropower Project (78 MW) and Upper Trishuli 3A (60 MW).

(With Agencies Inputs)

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