The death toll from the Rasuwa flood has reached 939 as of 6:00 PM on August 31, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. Similarly, 3,925 people remain missing. There has been some fluctuation in the number of missing people. The government has deployed 20,000 security personnel from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police. More than 11,000 people have been rescued, while 279 have been injured.
Special rescue teams from India, China, and South Korea are at the site to rescue those trapped in the tunnel. However, they have not been able to find anyone alive inside the tunnel. Some have argued that it was already too late to bring in the rescuers. Initially, the government decided not to allow foreign rescue teams to enter the country. However, following pressure from countries whose citizens are trapped and from the public at home, the government later allowed foreign rescue teams to enter the country and assist in the rescue efforts.
Most bridges in several areas from Rasuwa and Nuwakot to Dhading have collapsed, severely disrupting transportation and the movement of people. The government has prioritized the construction of temporary bridges in these areas. Nepal currently has six 48-meter Bailey bridges and one 70-meter Bailey bridge available. Feasibility studies have already been completed for installing Bailey bridges at three locations: the Tadi River in Devighat, Trishuli Bazaar, and Betrawati Bazaar. Additionally, a 230-foot single-lane modular steel bridge has been received from India, which has also promised to send seven more Bailey bridges. Similarly, China is providing 30 Bailey bridges, which are expected to arrive soon.
The Prithvi Highway is completely blocked following a landslide at Krishnabhir. With the road obstructed, passengers traveling between Pokhara and Kathmandu are searching for alternative routes. The highway had previously been blocked by a Bhotekoshi flash flood on August 26. According to the Bagmati Province Traffic Police Office, just 24 hours after the highway reopened, it was blocked again on Sunday due to the landslide at Krishnabhir. The latest blockage is likely to further disrupt the transportation system.
The government is preparing to conduct a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) in two phases. The first phase will quantify the loss and damage while also establishing a future development model for the flood-affected regions and Nepal as a whole. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has already completed an urgent assessment.
There are reports of a lack of coordination among the security agencies. Similarly, chiefs of local governments have complained that the federal government is not coordinating with them, which could affect relief distribution and reconstruction efforts. The Prime Minister, however, has said that the roles played by local and provincial governments have been commendable.
Due to floodwaters and sewage contaminating water sources and the environment, the risk of epidemic diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and dengue has increased in affected areas, including Rasuwa and Nuwakot. To prevent a potential health crisis in this critical situation, the Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene has urged people to remain highly alert and issued a special appeal to drink purified water, maintain proper sanitation, and wash their hands with soap and water before eating and after using the toilet.
The floods are likely to affect Nepal’s tourism industry, as hotel owners say that many tourists are cancelling their bookings. September is regarded as a peak season for tourism. This is the second blow to the tourism industry in a year, as last year’s Gen Z movement also affected the sector.
Following the Rasuwa flood, more than NPR 6.36 billion has been deposited into the Prime Minister's Disaster Relief and Rescue Fund. According to information shared by Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Facebook on Monday evening, the amount was collected in the Government of Nepal's Prime Minister's Disaster Fund and Prime Minister's Fund.
Following the destruction of the Rasuwa Gadi border checkpoint—a major trade route between Nepal and China—by the floods, China has also temporarily closed the Tatopani customs border in Sindhupalchok. Dipendra Prakash Giri, chief of the Tatopani Customs Office, said that China temporarily shut down the checkpoint starting August 30. This is likely to increase the prices of goods imported from China.
Kamal Dev Bhattarai
Editor
