Rasuwa disaster: 18 dead, 25 injured, 384 tourists unaccounted for

A devastating flood in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa on Wednesday has caused significant loss of life, widespread damage and left hundreds of tourists unaccounted for.

The flood hit Syaphrubesi, Timure and surrounding areas, damaging settlements, a police post and the customs office. Roads and bridges connecting the area to the Rasuwagadhi border point have also been damaged, disrupting access to the affected region, including settlements in nearby districts.

18 dead

As of 3:45 pm Wednesday, 18 people had died in the disaster, according to Nepal Police. The deaths include one person in Rasuwa, seven in Nuwakot, six in Dhading and four in Gorkha. Some of the victims have yet to be identified.

At least 25 injured people are receiving treatment at hospitals in Kathmandu. Four are being treated at the National Trauma Center, while another injured victim from Gosainkunda Rural Municipality in Rasuwa is being treated at Birendra Military Hospital in Chhauni.

88 rescued by helicopter

The Nepal Army said 88 people had been airlifted from flood-affected areas by 3:55 p.m. Rescue operations remain underway, and the number of evacuees is expected to increase.

The Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force have all been mobilized for search and rescue operations. Army and private helicopters are being used to evacuate people stranded in affected areas.

Authorities are also moving families from high-risk areas to safer locations, clearing blocked roads and coordinating rescue efforts with local residents and other agencies.

384 tourists unaccounted for

The flood has also raised concerns over the safety of hundreds of tourists traveling through the region.

According to the Nepal Tourism Board, 384 tourists: 291 foreigners and 93 Nepalis were unaccounted for following the flood. The tourists had traveled toward Gosaikunda and Kailash Mansarovar through various travel and trekking companies.

Tourism Board Acting Chief Executive Officer Hikmat Singh Air said authorities are working to determine the whereabouts and safety of the tourists. Tourism police, local administration and security agencies have been mobilized in the affected areas.

The tourists reported unaccounted for were traveling through companies and organizations including Samrat Tours and Travels (71), Kathmandu Holiday Tours and Travels (17), Leaf Holidays (55), Kailash Journey (31), Explore Vacation (7), Trekker Society (92), Richa Tours and Travels (12), Fishtail Tours and Travels (27), Himalayan Glacier (52) and Alpine Eco Trek (20).

The Tourism Board has urged people seeking information or assistance to contact its toll-free number 1234, hotline 1144, or Tourism Police at 9851289445.

With roads and bridges damaged and several areas difficult to access, authorities are relying heavily on helicopters and coordinated operations by security agencies to reach stranded people.

The full scale of the damage and the status of the 384 unaccounted-for tourists remain unclear, as search, rescue and assessment operations continue across the flood-hit region.