Nepal flash floods destroy bridges, roads in Trishuli

Flash floods devastated Nepal on Wednesday, inundating settlements and washing away infrastructure in the Nuwakot and Dhading districts. Torrents of water and mud surged through Trishuli Bazaar, submerging homes and covering roads, while villages, bridges, and power projects were damaged in the region bordering Tibet.

Video shows destruction in Trishuli and Galchhi

Footage from Trishuli Bazar captures residents standing near homes partially submerged in muddy floodwater. In some areas, the water has completely covered roads and surrounding structures. Other footage from Galchhi in Nepal’s Dhading district shows a torrent of muddy water surging through a river, with floodwaters spreading across nearby roads and settlements.

Videos posted on social media also show the force of the flooding, with multi-storey buildings collapsing into the water as the torrent moves through a Nepalese town.

Search and rescue operations continue

At least eight people have been confirmed dead in the flash floods. Authorities have warned that the death toll could rise as rescue teams reach more affected areas. Helicopters are being used to search the affected region, although high water levels have made it difficult for some aircraft to land.

The cause of the flooding has not yet been established. Deadly floods in the region last year were linked to the draining of a glacial lake.

Rescue teams are working against time to locate those stranded or missing. While helicopters provide an aerial view of the devastation, the sheer volume of water and debris on the ground slows ground-based rescue efforts. For the people caught in these remote mountain communities, the delay in establishing the exact cause means they must wait longer before the full picture of the disaster becomes clear.

Missing travellers and impact in Tibet

The flooding has also affected travellers in the region. Nepal’s tourism board said a preliminary assessment had identified 384 travellers reported missing, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali nationals. Those listed as missing include travellers from India, Australia, the Netherlands, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Malaysia.

The tourism board said the information was still being verified and cross-checked in coordination with travel agencies, guides, local authorities and security agencies.

The disaster has also affected areas across the border in Tibet. China’s state news agency Xinhua reported that a mudslide in Gyirong county caused “major casualties”. The mudslide occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time and cut off roads, communications and power in the region. Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered all-out search and rescue efforts to find those missing following the mudslide.