Nepal flash flood devastates Rasuwa and Nuwakot, wrecking roads and bridges

A massive flash flood tore through the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river corridors in Nepal, destroying homes, roads and bridges. The disaster has cut off communities, hampered rescue work and deepened fears for the missing.Image used for representational purposes onlyImages emerging from Nepal show widespread destruction after a massive flash flood swept through the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river corridors, destroying houses, roads and bridges and leaving large areas covered with mud, rocks and debris. The worst damage has been reported in Rasuwa and Nuwakot, where photographs and videos from affected areas show buildings damaged or swept away, roads cut off and riverbank settlements buried under debris.The flood has also disrupted rescue and recovery operations, with damaged roads and bridges cutting off communities, particularly in Rasuwa. Further downstream, teams have been searching riverbanks and recovering bodies carried by the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers, while authorities continue to assess the full extent of the damage.In Timure and Rasuwagadhi in Rasuwa, the flood caused extensive damage to settlements and infrastructure along the Bhotekoshi River. Both towns are near the Nepal-Tibet border. The Rasuwagadhi border crossing was among the worst affected, with buildings and other infrastructure damaged or swept away.The Department of Roads said the entire 42-kilometre road section between Betrawati in Nuwakot and Rasuwagadhi was damaged at multiple points, while several concrete bridges were washed away. Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said 35 motorable bridges, 45 suspension bridges and around 40 kilometres of roads had been damaged by the flood. Vehicles were also swept away or buried under mud and debris in several affected areas. Further downstream in Nuwakot, the destruction was particularly severe in Trishuli Bazaar and nearby areas. Around 60 houses in and around Trishuli Bazaar were reportedly swept away, while two motorable bridges over the Trishuli River were also washed away. The nearby Devighat area suffered extensive damage. Photographs from Trishuli Bazaar show buildings standing amid thick deposits of mud and debris, with sections of the riverbank and adjoining roads heavily damaged.The flood also damaged the Trishuli and Devighat hydropower projects, along with other power infrastructure in the affected corridor. The impact extended to schools and other essential infrastructure as well. The Nepal News online portal reported that the Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School in Bidur was severely damaged by the flood, while power infrastructure in the affected districts also suffered extensive damage. Search and rescue operations have continued in Rasuwa, with security personnel deployed to reach people stranded in isolated areas. Bodies have been recovered from Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Tanahun, Chitwan and Nawalparasi districts, according to the disaster management authority. In Chitwan, families have gathered outside Bharatpur Hospital carrying photographs of relatives who remain missing, hoping to identify those recovered from the rivers. At the hospital, the number of bodies recovered has overwhelmed available mortuary space, with authorities making arrangements to accommodate additional remains.The flood left a trail of destruction that changed in character downstream, from heavily damaged settlements and infrastructure in Rasuwa and Nuwakot to large-scale search, rescue and recovery operations farther south. Authorities are continuing to assess the damage as rescue teams reach areas cut off by the flood and families wait for information about those still missing.With PTI Inputs- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 27, 2026 19:32 IST