Flood disaster in Rasuwa leaves many missing as bodies found along riverbanks

Rescue efforts in flood-hit Rasuwa face major obstacles as damaged roads, disrupted communications and shortages leave survivors and displaced families in urgent need.

A devastating flood in Rasuwa has caused significant loss of life and property. Local representatives say a large number of people are missing, dozens of bodies have been found along riverbanks and rescue and relief efforts have been severely hampered by the disruption of road and communication networks.

Four employees who were deployed to issue flood warnings are still missing, while the body of Information and Communications Officer Janak Acharya was identified and cremated, according to local sources. Executive committee member Gyanu BK and several teachers are also reportedly out of contact.

The areas of Betrabati Bazaar, Kaidletar, Pairebesi, Salletar and Mailung have been severely affected by the flood. Around 300 families who had been living in temporary settlements for the past 11 years after being displaced by the earthquake have also been affected.

A large number of employees and workers of the Trishuli 3B Hydropower Project are reportedly missing. Workers from the Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project, including Korean, Chinese, Indian and Nepali nationals, are also reportedly unaccounted for. There are reports that some workers may be trapped inside tunnels.

Several people who had set out on journeys to Gosainkunda and Mansarovar are also reportedly missing. Relatives of those who have lost contact with their family members have been making desperate appeals for information and rescue.

The affected areas have been completely cut off by road. Power outages have also disrupted mobile networks, making communication with people in the affected areas extremely difficult.

The areas of Timure and Syabrubesi have also suffered significant casualties. However, local representatives say the situation in Mailung, Salletar, Pairebesi, Kaidletar and Betrabati is even more devastating, with an unprecedented level of human loss and a large number of families left homeless.

Delays in rescue operations

Local representatives have complained about delays in rescuing critically injured people. Despite coordinating with the Prime Minister’s Office and other government agencies and waiting for helicopters, assistance did not arrive in time. In one case, an injured person had to be transported through Kalikasthan and Jibjibe Hospital before eventually reaching Dhunche Hospital after nearly 10 hours.

According to local representatives, more than 50 bodies can be seen along the riverbanks. Even when bodies have been identified by family members, their cremation and management have reportedly been difficult. Police personnel at the site have allegedly said that they cannot proceed without orders from higher authorities.

A large number of security personnel are also reportedly missing due to the floods. The remaining police personnel, including an inspector and five or six other officers stationed in Kalikasthan, are continuing to work despite a lack of food and drinking water.

Around 350 displaced people sheltered at school

At present, around 350 people affected by the disaster are being sheltered at Nilkantha Secondary School in Bogatitar. The Kalika and Naukunda rural municipalities have provided food and other essential supplies, which are expected to last for approximately three more days.

The displaced families are spending the night on black mattresses placed on the classroom floors. Some generous local residents have also provided shelter to affected families in their own homes.

However, authorities and local representatives have been unable to provide adequate specialized assistance to people who require regular medication, as well as postpartum women, pregnant women, senior citizens and children.

The number of sick and injured people is reportedly increasing. Immediate evacuation and medical treatment are urgently needed.

Bodies beginning to decompose

Dozens of bodies lying along the riverbanks have reportedly begun to decompose, causing a strong stench in nearby villages and raising concerns about the potential spread of infectious diseases.

Local representatives have also received reports that a large number of people remain in the Tirhu area, which is at risk of landslides and lacks food and other essential supplies. They have called for the immediate evacuation of residents from the danger zone and arrangements for safe accommodation.

There is also an urgent need to rescue people who have become separated from their families after being stranded on opposite sides of the Trishuli River and reunite them with their relatives.

Several organizations have expressed willingness to provide assistance, and local representatives have requested relevant authorities to facilitate their efforts.

Meanwhile, data is being collected on homeless families, missing people, children who have lost their parents or guardians and public and private houses and infrastructure destroyed by the disaster.

Criticism over government response

A local representative who is currently working on the ground in the flood-affected area has criticized the federal government’s response, saying that people in the affected areas have not felt a meaningful presence of the state.

The representative said that while government activities can be seen on social media, people on the ground have not experienced an effective government response in the areas most severely affected by the disaster.

The representative also said that after speaking to several media outlets about the situation, they received a phone call from the Home Minister’s secretariat asking them not to engage in “negative publicity” or “politics.”

In response, the representative reportedly said that authorities should create a situation in which such complaints do not become necessary and ensure that people can actually feel the presence of the government on the ground.

The representative also referred to expressions of concern from former President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, UML leaders and colleagues from across the country. They urged political parties and leaders not to limit their response to social media posts and instead take concrete action in the affected areas.

Government officials expected to begin response

The representative said they had spoken with the Chief District Officer on Thursday evening and were informed that immediate response measures would begin from Friday.

There is hope that, in coordination with local government representatives, rescue, relief, medical assistance and rehabilitation efforts will begin in areas that have so far remained largely overlooked.

The immediate priorities include rescuing people trapped or stranded in dangerous areas, providing food and medicine, safely managing and identifying bodies, relocating people from landslide-prone settlements, reuniting separated families and providing shelter to those who have lost their homes.

The scale of the disaster remains difficult to fully assess, with communication and road links still disrupted in several parts of the district.