Flood Devastates Rasuwa District in Northern Nepal: 18 Missing, 7 Dead, and Key Infrastructure Destroyed
Rasuwa, Nepal | July 8, 2025
A catastrophic flood struck the northern district of Rasuwa on Tuesday, leaving at least seven people dead and 18 reported missing, according to an update issued by Nepal Police at 3:00 p.m. The flood has inflicted severe damage on the Rasuwagadhi border region, a crucial trade and transit point between Nepal and China.
Among the 18 missing individuals are three members of Nepal Police, six Chinese nationals working in the area, and nine civilians. Authorities confirmed that 55 people were rescued from various flood-affected zones during ongoing emergency operations. Search and rescue efforts remain underway despite significant challenges caused by high water levels and treacherous terrain.
The disaster has left a trail of destruction across critical infrastructure. The Miteri Bridge, a symbolic and strategic link between Nepal and China, was swept away by the powerful currents, severing a vital route for cross-border trade and transportation. An EV charging station in Timure was also hit hard, with seven to eight electric vehicles believed to have been washed away.
The Rasuwa Customs Office’s customs yard suffered extensive damage, affecting one of Nepal’s key northern trade outposts. Additionally, the dam of the Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project, an important source of local energy, sustained structural impacts, though a full assessment of the damage is still pending.
Multiple rural municipalities, including Gosaikunda, Aamachhodingmo, Uttargaya, and Kalika, were affected by the deluge. Roads, homes, and essential services in these areas have been severely disrupted. The flood also inflicted serious damage on the Pasang Lhamu Highway, a critical lifeline connecting Rasuwa with the rest of the country. A stretch of the highway near Gosaikunda Rural Municipality-5 cracked and collapsed, rendering the section between Ghunche and Timure completely impassable.
Local authorities, Nepal Police, and the Armed Police Force have mobilized for rescue and relief operations. However, their efforts are being hampered by submerged roads, unstable ground, and the continued threat of landslides in the area.
As rains persist and assessments continue, the full extent of the destruction has yet to be determined. The government has called for heightened alertness and mobilization of additional support to affected regions, especially in safeguarding lives and restoring damaged infrastructure.
