In Brief:

• Flood entered Bhote Koshi from Tibetan side around 9 am Wednesday
• Timure and Syabrubesi damaged, including Timure Customs Office area
• High alert issued downstream to Muglin, covering Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan
• Authorities urged closure of Prithvi and Tribhuvan highways in risk zones
• Cause under investigation - possible glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF)
• Extent of casualties and damage still being assessed

KATHMANDU, AUGUST 26 A huge and sudden flood entered the Bhote Koshi River from the Chinese side on Wednesday morning, causing major damage in parts of Rasuwa and prompting authorities to issue high-alert warnings downstream as far as Muglin. Officials said the flood caused significant damage in Timure and Syabrubesi, with the Timure Customs Office area also affected. The Flood Forecasting Division reported being informed around 9:00 am that a major flood had entered the river from the Tibetan side. 'The flood is unprecedented and huge,' an official said, noting damage in Gosaikunda Rural Municipality-2, Timure, and Ward No. 5, Syabrubesi. The sudden rise in the Bhote Koshi has raised concern for communities along the Trishuli River. Authorities have urged residents along riverbanks to remain on high alert up to Muglin until further notice. Officials in Nuwakot and Dhading have been alerted, with warnings extended to downstream areas of Gorkha and Chitwan. The flood has also raised concerns over major transport corridors, with authorities urging closure of the Prithvi Highway, Tribhuvan Highway and other corridor highways in risk zones. The Flood Forecasting Division warned of possible inundation in parts of Chitwan, particularly downstream from Devghat in Nawalparasi. Investigations are under way to determine the cause of the sudden surge, with officials examining whether it was triggered by a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) or another factor. The National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Authority has issued a special request urging residents in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan to remain vigilant and move to safe locations. Further information on casualties and damage is still being collected.