Nepal has launched a major rescue and relief operation.
The Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police have been mobilised in Rasuwa and nearby areas. Helicopters have also been deployed to support search, rescue and medical operations in the difficult mountain terrain.
An Army helicopter carrying an Emergency Medical Rescue Team was sent towards the affected region, while additional rescue personnel were mobilised from nearby locations.
The government has also directed people living in low-lying and riverbank areas to move to safer places where necessary.
Authorities have urged residents not to rely on rumours and to follow official warnings as the flood situation continues to develop.
Why the flood could matter beyond Rasuwa
The Bhote Koshi originates in Tibet and flows through Nepal before joining the Trishuli River. The wider river system eventually connects to the Gandak basin in India.
That does not mean the current flood will automatically cause flooding in India. The impact downstream will depend on several factors, including the volume of water, its movement through Nepal’s river system and local conditions further downstream.
Still, sudden flooding in Nepal’s Himalayan rivers is closely watched because these interconnected river systems cross national borders.
Authorities in Nepal have already focused their immediate warnings on vulnerable settlements along the downstream river corridors.
The number of people killed, injured or missing remains unclear, and authorities are continuing to collect information from the affected areas. The exact cause of the flood is also under investigation.
What is already clear is that the disaster has once again highlighted the dangers faced by Himalayan communities living near steep, glacier-fed rivers. Heavy rainfall, changing glacial conditions, landslides and sudden releases of stored water can all produce devastating floods with very little warning.
The viral videos showing the Bhote Koshi turning into a raging torrent capture the terrifying speed of such events. But beyond the dramatic footage, the real picture is still emerging.
Until rescue teams complete their assessment, claims about the number of people swept away or the exact cause of the flood should be treated with caution. The confirmed facts are that a major flash flood has caused serious destruction in Rasuwa, rescue forces are on the ground, and communities downstream remain on alert.
(With inputs from agencies)