KATHMANDU, JULY 13
Work has begun on the Chinese side to release water that had accumulated in the Kerung Stream following Tuesday morning's flood in the Lhende Stream.
Chinese authorities are deploying heavy machinery to divert the blocked water back into Chinese territory.
According to local border security officials, large boulders, uprooted trees, and logs had accumulated at the confluence of the Lhende and Kerung streams, obstructing the flow of the Kerung Stream and causing flooding on the Chinese side as well.
The inundation submerged over 30 Nepali container trucks and several houses in Kerung, China.
On the Nepali side, 70 electric vehicles, six large trucks belonging to the Sino Company, and 24 Nepali-operated container trucks were swept away, according to Tulsi Prasad Bhattarai, Chief Customs Officer at the Rasuwa Customs Office.
Wang, a senior Chinese technician stationed in Rasuwagadhi, confirmed that the sudden flood on July 8 swept away six Chinese nationals, three Nepal Police personnel, and five Nepali workers.
Dhruba Prasad Adhikari, Assistant Chief District Officer of Rasuwa, also confirmed that a total of 20 people were swept away, including six Nepali drivers working for a Chinese company.
The flood also washed away several heavy machines used in the construction of the Rasuwagadhi dry port by Tibet Fuli Construction Group, including one tipper truck, a cement mixer, an excavator, a roller, and a Hilux jeep.
"Suddenly, the river swelled, and security personnel nearby shouted for everyone to move to safety. We panicked and ran. Some of our friends couldn't escape, but we managed to flee to the Ghattekhola area to save our lives," a survivor recounted.
Kami Chiring Tamang, Chairperson of Ward No. 2, Gosainkunda Rural Municipality, said, "As soon as I heard about the flood, I alerted people at the customs yard from a hilltop. We also warned villagers at risk to stay on high alert. Despite our efforts, the unexpected scale of the flood has resulted in significant loss of life and property. We are devastated."
Chairperson Tamang urged the government to prepare a comprehensive damage assessment, provide timely relief to flood victims, and ensure the safe return of Nepali nationals currently stranded in Kerung.
Another local, Purushottam Paudel, informed that arrangements have been made for pilgrims returning from Kailash Mansarovar to enter Nepal via the Tatopani border after the Miteri Bridge at Rasuwagadhi was washed away.
Chief District Officer Arjun Paudel stated that pilgrims who had completed their Kailash Mansarovar journey and entered Nepal were airlifted to their destinations by helicopter on July 8 and 9.
Security forces including the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force are actively engaged in search and rescue operations and are stationed in the area to support stranded individuals.
Most road sections from Syaphrubesi to Rasuwagadhi have been completely destroyed by the floods, cutting off access and leaving residents in a dire situation.
According to Ward Chairperson Tamang, damage assessment efforts are ongoing in the Rasuwagadhi area, but residents and officials alike remain fearful of further disasters.
