Kathmandu— A devastating flash flood struck Nepal’s Nuwakot district on Wednesday, sweeping away dozens of homes and damaging critical infrastructure including roads and bridges. Suraj Shrestha, a construction worker at the Trishuli-3B hydropower project, narrowly escaped with his colleague after witnessing the rapidly rising waters while traveling towards Dhunge Bazaar around 9:00 am. As of Wednesday evening, eleven bodies had been recovered in Nuwakot, but many remain unaccounted for as rescue efforts are hampered by ongoing rainfall and severed communication lines.

Rapid Flood Engulfs Communities

Shrestha and his colleague Ganesh Prasain were forced to climb uphill after spotting the floodwaters rushing towards them. They walked nearly four kilometers through a forest before reaching Battar Bazaar, escaping the immediate danger but left anxiously awaiting news of their coworkers at the hydropower project. By evening, over four dozen people had gathered near the Maithali Barracks seeking information about missing relatives and colleagues. Assistant Sub-Inspector Rupesh Ray of the Armed Police Force described how quickly the situation escalated, stating that announcements were being made via loudspeaker when the flood unexpectedly surged from behind them, sweeping away a bridge and burying two-and-a-half story buildings in seconds.

Widespread Damage and Isolation

The flooding impacted settlements stretching approximately 500 to 800 meters along the banks of the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers, from Dhunge through Trishuli Bazaar and Betrawati to Timure. Areas above Dhunge have been cut off due to damaged infrastructure; around 45 kilometers of paved road and nineteen motorable bridges were destroyed by the floodwaters. The Simalchaur squatter settlement below Dhunge Bazaar was also completely swept away, adding to the scale of displacement and loss. Kishori Bishwakarma, a resident of Siltayanki, remains missing after floodwaters entered her home.

Rescue Efforts Hampered

Bagmati Province Police Chief Deepak Regmi, who arrived in Dhunge Bazaar, reported that communication has been severed with areas further upstream and that road-based rescue operations are currently impossible. While 39 people were rescued from around Trishuli Bazaar by Wednesday evening and received preliminary treatment at the Maithali Barracks, those needing intensive care were transported to Kathmandu. Police anticipate being able to intensify rescue and relief efforts early Thursday morning if weather conditions improve. The disaster has brought back memories of a similar flood that struck the Kerung border point in June 2025, resulting in nine deaths on the Nepali side and nineteen missing persons.

Authorities are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage and casualties as rescue operations remain challenging due to ongoing rainfall and limited access to affected areas.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.