A devastating flood along the Bhote Koshi River has claimed at least eight lives and left more than two dozen people missing, disrupting the vital Nepal-China border region. The deluge, reported on July 8, 2025, swept away the Friendship Bridge, a key link for trade and travel between the two nations, halting cross-border commerce. Among the missing are six Chinese workers and three Nepalese police officers, with ongoing search and rescue efforts facing challenges due to high water levels and damaged infrastructure.
The flooding, likely triggered by an overflowing glacial lake in Tibet following heavy rainfall, caused significant destruction in Nepal’s Rasuwa district. Containers carrying Chinese imports were washed away, and a small hydroelectric plant sustained damage. Nepalese authorities have rescued 57 individuals, but the recovery of eight unidentified bodies underscores the severity of the disaster. The Pasang Lhamu Highway, a critical route, remains impassable, further isolating affected communities.
Nepal’s weather authorities, collaborating with international satellite data initiatives, are investigating the precise cause of the flood. The region, prone to monsoon-related disasters, faces recurring challenges from flash floods and landslides, exacerbated by rising temperatures and glacial melt. Recent posts on X highlight the urgency of the situation, noting the ongoing rescue operations and the significant loss of life and property in the area.
This tragedy follows a pattern of monsoon-driven calamities in Nepal, with over 200 deaths reported in similar incidents in 2024. The destruction of infrastructure and loss of livelihoods continue to strain the nation’s resources, prompting calls for improved disaster preparedness and climate resilience measures.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 9th, 2025
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