Severe Flooding in Rasuwa Poses Risk Extending to Mugling
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A sudden and severe flood struck Rasuwa district on Wednesday morning, causing significant damage, with authorities reporting that water levels are “five times higher than last year.” However, detailed damage assessments are still underway.
According to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, the government has instructed chief district officials to relocate residents from vulnerable lower riverbank areas to safer locations.
“Continuous information is being disseminated to move other citizens who may be further affected by the flooding to secure places,” a statement from the secretariat said.
The government has urged people to avoid traveling on the Prithvi Highway, Galchi–Nuwakot–Rasuwa Syafrubesi road, and Mugling–Narayangadh road due to the flooding.
“Security forces are currently urging people living near the riverbanks to stay safe through loudspeaker announcements,” said reporter Ishwar Joshi from Chitwan.
Anand Kafle, spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Secretariat and the Ministry of Home Affairs, indicated that a command center has been established at the National Disaster Risk Reduction Authority and a further meeting is scheduled at 11 a.m. at the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers’ office to discuss the situation.
“The damage reported is large, and rescue operations extending up to Mugling are underway. We are actively working on this. However, a full assessment of losses is not yet possible,” Kafle stated.
‘From Dhunche, we can see the river’: Rasuwa Chief District Officer
This flood is also believed to have originated from across the border in Tibet rather than Nepalese territory, though detailed information is yet to be confirmed.
Narendra Pariyar, Chief District Officer of Rasuwa, said, “From Dhunche, we can actually see the river. Under normal circumstances, that wouldn’t be the case. The river, formed where Bhote Koshi and Lende rivers meet, becomes the Trishuli after Dhunche. The Trishuli dam is visible from there.”
He reported that the flood has extensively affected riverbank areas. “The flood started in the upper region near Timure. We understand it came from across the Tibet border. Information came suddenly, so exact confirmation on the origin is pending. Significant damage has occurred in Timure.”
“Damage is also reported in Syafrubesi, but the extent is unknown. Near there was the Chilime bridge, but we cannot yet confirm if it’s safe. Our team has reached that area.”
Due to lack of suitable landing spots for helicopters, the Nepal Army has conducted aerial inspections of affected areas using just one helicopter.
“The Rasuwa Gadhi hydropower dam is reportedly compromised down to the bottom. We are deploying all available security personnel from here,” he said. “Because there’s no helipad, monitoring is from the air.”
Assistant Rathi Rajaram Basnet, spokesperson for the Nepal Army, said three helicopters have been dispatched carrying medicine and rescue teams to the affected zones.
Response from the Prime Minister’s Secretariat
Under the direction of Prime Minister Valendra Shah, concerned organizations have mobilized their resources to intensify rescue, search, and relief operations in flood-affected areas, the Prime Minister’s Secretariat stated.
“The district’s Disaster Authority has already shown active involvement. The Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, District Administration, and others are deeply engaged in rescue and search operations. Additionally, the Nepal Army has pushed forward the rescue and search efforts,” the statement reads.
According to the secretariat, a meeting led by Home Minister Sudan Gurung is currently underway at Singha Durbar, focusing on the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.
Advised to Exercise Caution Up to Chitwan
Government agencies have urged heightened vigilance along the banks of the Trishuli River from Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhadhing, extending to Mugling in Chitwan.
Both the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology and the Flood Forecasting Division have issued separate alerts concerning this situation.
“The situation may further develop. Let us rely on official updates rather than rumors and keep each other informed. If needed, immediately notify relevant authorities,” said Information and Communications Minister Bikram Timilsina on social media.
Bikram Timilsina is also an elected representative from Nuwakot.
Report from the Nepal Army
The Nepal Army confirmed at 9 a.m. that damage has been verified in areas such as Timure, Syafrubesi, and along riverbanks.
“Two Nepal Army helicopters have reached Trishuli for search and rescue, and an emergency medical rescue team, including an MI-17 helicopter, has been deployed to assist the district hospital in Trishuli,” the army stated.
Rescue teams from Dhunche and Trishuli barracks have been dispatched to affected areas, and skilled personnel from the No. 6 Brigade base in Gajuri have also been mobilized for disaster management, according to the army.
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