Rapid River Rise Triggers Fatal Floods, Over 400 Missing

KATHMANDU, 27 August — A rapid rise in the Bhotekoshi River on Wednesday morning led to catastrophic flooding in Nepal, resulting in at least 162 deaths and 41 injuries. Police reports detail the distribution of the dead: Rasuwa (2), Nuwakot (12), Dhading (27), Chitwan (64), Gorkha (20), Tanahun (9), eastern Nepal (26) and western Nepal (2). The injured are being treated at several hospitals, with 20 patients at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, 4 at a trauma centre, 3 at Bir Hospital, 1 at Birendra Soldiers Hospital, 1 at Green City, 3 at Norvic Hospital and 9 at Trishuli Hospital. More than 400 people are still unaccounted for, and 28 police officers have not been reached. The flood water, which rose sharply around 9 a.m., is believed to have come from meltwater flowing from Tibet, causing severe damage to vehicles, cargo and property in the Timure and nearby Syafrabesi areas of Rasuwa district.