Rasuwa Flood: ‘Despite Advance Warnings and Announcements, Damage Increased as Many Did Not Believe the Threat,’ Says Local Leader

The floods in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli Rivers, flowing through Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts, have almost submerged the historic Trishuli Bazaar in Nuwakot, according to Lenin Ranjit, ward chairman of Vidur Municipality Ward No. 1. He stated that residents of Trishuli were warned about the impending flood and were immediately instructed to evacuate, with announcements made via loudspeakers.

“While crossing the old Trishuli bridge, the floodwaters arrived. By the time I reached the new bridge, water had risen to ankle level,” Ranjit said. “I managed to reach a stone structure and survived.”

Ranjit further explained, “More than half of the bazaar’s land area is submerged. The Trishuli Hydroelectric Plant, both new and old permanent bridges of the bazaar, Trishuli School, temples, and houses have all been washed away. The nearby Dunge Bazaar has also been completely submerged.” He added that details regarding both physical and human losses are still unclear. “Friends have witnessed people being swept away right before their eyes. Contact with several residents of the bazaar has not been established.” He also mentioned that the process of mobilizing helicopters for rescue operations is underway.

Currently, the residents of the bazaar have taken shelter in Vidur and Colony areas. Ward Chairman Ranjit noted, “Although residents in the lower area by the riverbank evacuated promptly, those in the upper bazaar were yet to relocate. Although similar warnings have been issued in the past, floods have never before devastated the bazaar to this extent. No one anticipated a flood this catastrophic.” Previously, in 1985 (2042 BS), after a landslide in Dhunche, Rasuwa, the Trishuli River was blocked, causing concerns for the bazaar’s safety and a full evacuation. However, that flood did not enter the bazaar itself.

The historic Trishuli Bazaar, also known as ‘Sanghu Bazaar,’ houses approximately 500 households with a population exceeding 2,000, according to local officials.