Scenes of Damage in Rasuwa and Nuwakot After Bhote Koshi-Trishuli Floods

Severe flooding has caused extensive damage in parts of Rasuwa and Nuwakot, where field assessments have recently taken place. While some houses on the upper hills appeared intact during a helicopter flight, vast areas along the riverbanks were heavily damaged. One week after the devastating flood struck on September 26, rescue efforts and relief distribution activities were underway as we visited Nuwakot to gather information.

The floodwaters, which extended up to the Nepal-China border, washed away numerous settlements along the Trishuli River banks. Traveling by helicopter across hills and valleys revealed numerous sites where houses were destroyed and riverbanks were covered in white silt. In some locations there were collapsed homes, while in others nothing remained visible.

We also visited the site of the Upper Trishuli A Hydroelectric Project, which was commissioned six years ago by the Nepal Electricity Authority. There, Nepali Army personnel, police, technical staff from the electricity authority, and other security forces were engaged in reopening the tunnel entrance. Excavators and bulldozers were busy with excavation work.

The helicopter flight provided views of the Nepal-China border region as well, revealing tragic scenes buried under mud. Pilots operated under extreme risk navigating the geographically challenging mountainous terrain. Images and footage captured during the floods have been widely circulated on social media, with millions expressing sympathy for those affected and impacted by the disaster.