Flood Alert Issued for Nepal's Bhote Koshi River

Kathmandu. The Nepal Tourism Board has urged tourists and the general public to exercise extreme caution after a sudden flood occurred in the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa on Wednesday morning. The flood, which came from Tibet around 8:30 AM, has damaged settlements in the Timure and Syaphrubesi areas. The board has appealed to people to stay in safe places as the flood is moving towards the lower downstream areas. The flood, originating in Rasuwa, is moving towards the Mugling area via Nuwakot and Dhading. This has increased security risks in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river corridors. Considering the disaster, the Prithvi Highway, Galchhi-Nuwakot-Rasuwa-Syaphrubesi road, and the Mugling-Narayangadh road sections have been affected. The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police have stopped the movement of vehicles going from Kathmandu to Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Chitwan, advising against travel until the road conditions are safe. Home Minister Sudhan Gurung has requested everyone not to travel unnecessarily on the affected highways and river corridors. 'Residents and tourists around the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers should exercise special caution,' said Home Minister Gurung. 'Everyone in the lower downstream area up to Mugling needs to be on high alert until further notice. Two helicopters of the Nepali Army have been sent towards Rasuwa for rescue and emergency management during the disaster.' The board has alerted tourists in areas including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, and Chitwan not to go near rivers, riverbanks, bridges, and low-lying areas. It has been advised to stay in safe places and avoid unnecessary movement until the situation becomes clear. Tourists have been asked to stay in regular contact with their hotels, trekking agencies, guides, and local tourism entrepreneurs. Similarly, the board has requested those planning to visit the affected areas to postpone their travel for the time being. The board has urged not to attempt to cross flooded roads or rivers under any circumstances and to immediately move to safe and high ground if directed by local authorities. People are requested not to follow unverified information on social media and to rely only on information from government agencies and official media. Tourists and the general public requiring emergency assistance can contact toll-free number 1234, hotline 1144, and the tourist police at 9851289445. The board has also released an online form for the facilitation and coordination of those affected.