Kathmandu: Heavy floods in the Himalayan nation of Nepal have washed away villages in the region bordering Tibet, completely damaging roads, bridges and power projects, and about 1000 people have been reported to have been swept away in floodwaters.
Glaciers and floods have once again raised concerns in the Himalayan region. A massive flood in Nepal’s Rasua district, bordering Tibet, on Wednesday caused severe damage to villages and several infrastructure projects, with the Sayafrubesi and Timure areas being the worst affected.
Initial reports indicated that a large number of people were missing, with about 1,000 people reported to have been swept away, but local authorities have not yet officially confirmed such a large number. Authorities have urged people living along the banks of the Bhote Koshi river to immediately move to higher ground and safety.
According to Reuters news agency, Nepali officials said the flooding was so severe that it had damaged villages and project sites along the river. Rasua District Administrator Narendra Pariyar told Reuters that there were reports of villages and infrastructure projects being washed away. While exact numbers were not available at this time, he said the possibility of heavy casualties and property damage could not be ruled out. Prime Minister Balendra Shah has ordered the deployment of police and army along with relief and rescue teams to the affected areas.
The Sayapru Besi and Timure areas in the mountainous Rasua district, which has a population of about 50,000, were the worst affected, officials said, urging people living along the banks of the Bhote Koshi river to seek higher ground.
District administrator Narendra Pariyar told Reuters that there were reports of villages and infrastructure projects being washed away by the floods, although there were no immediate estimates of casualties or property damage. “There could be heavy casualties or property damage, but I cannot say for sure now,” he said.
The cause of the floods was not immediately clear but the cause was attributed to the draining of a glacial lake, which was the cause of a deadly flash flood on the same river last year. Infrastructure damaged by the floods included roads and bridges, as well as hydroelectric projects, Nepal’s Ministry of Water Resources said.