The devastating impact of monsoon floods has resulted in casualties and infrastructural damage in Rasuwa district, Nepal, as officials endeavor to locate missing persons from both Nepal and China, highlighting the increasing severity of climate-related disasters in the region.
Nepal-China Bridge Destroyed by Monsoon Floods, Urgent Rescue Operations Underway
Nepal-China Bridge Destroyed by Monsoon Floods, Urgent Rescue Operations Underway
Flash floods in Nepal have killed at least three people and severely damaged the crucial bridge connecting Nepal to China, prompting urgent search and rescue efforts.
Flash floods have wreaked havoc in Nepal, claiming at least three lives and demolishing the Nepal-China Friendship Bridge, crucial for cross-border trade and connectivity. The disaster unfolded early on Tuesday in Rasuwa district, where officials reported significant damage to the customs facilities at the border, with numerous vehicles and cargo containers swept away. Power outages ensued, caused by compromised hydropower infrastructure.
Authorities are currently engaged in intensive search and rescue operations, utilizing helicopters to assist in locating those who are unaccounted for. Among the missing are three police officers and 15 individuals from both nations, including nine Nepali civilians and six Chinese nationals. Tragically, the police officers were caught in the floods while attempting to provide aid to the affected community, according to Nepal police spokesman Binod Ghimire. Many of the missing civilians are believed to be drivers servicing the border crossing.
Nepal's precarious mountainous landscape makes it particularly vulnerable to flash floods, a risk that has increased due to evolving climate dynamics. The country has seen a drastic rise in disaster-related fatalities in recent years; in the previous monsoon season, 495 lives were lost to flooding and landslides. The current monsoon period, which extends from June to September, continues to pose significant dangers to people whose livelihoods hinge on agriculture.
The repercussions of this year's monsoon rains have also affected the Indian side of the Himalayas, most notably in Himachal Pradesh, where nearly 80 deaths have been recorded alongside a considerable number of missing persons since late June due to similar weather-related incidents. In the last 24 hours alone, heavy rainfall and flooding have claimed 14 additional lives across five Indian states, underscoring the widespread devastation caused by this monsoon season.
