After floods washed away a bridge in Rasuwa’s Uttar Gaya Rural Municipality, the municipality has been divided into two parts, with helicopter assistance required to reach the western area. Chairperson Madhav Aryal of the Rural Municipality stated that ward number 1 and other locations have suffered extensive damage, and the data collection is still incomplete. He emphasized the need for coordinated efforts among the federal, provincial, local governments, and technical personnel for rescue, relief, temporary housing, and rehabilitation.
Uttar Gaya Rural Municipality is one of the hardest-hit areas by the Bhote Koshi flood. The exact extent of missing persons and overall damage remains uncertain. The flood’s destruction of a bridge has split the municipality into two parts. The western area along the Koshi River relies heavily on helicopters for transporting relief materials. The situation is also fragile when it comes to managing bodies found along the riverbank. Despite these challenges, rescue operations are gradually progressing.
To assess the post-flood situation, a team has been continuously present in the affected areas and conducted an interview with Chairperson Madhav Aryal. He acknowledged that Uttar Gaya is among the most severely affected. When asked about the rescue, missing, and death toll situation, he shared that, while focusing on internal management, he has not been able to visit all sites directly. However, some initial improvements have been observed in management. He stressed that disaster management cannot be handled without coordination with local bodies. Initially, there were issues with concentrating relief supplies at Vidur and obstructing materials from Shivapuri Barrack needed in the field. Important organizations’ relief goods were also halted. He added that those willing to help should not be stopped, and materials need to be managed effectively. Relief storage and distribution have now started with permission from the District Disaster Management Committee.
Regarding the human and material losses, Chairperson Aryal noted that the most damage occurred in Ward No. 1. This ward hosted workers and technicians from various countries at the 216-megawatt hydropower project. Significant destruction was also seen in Mailung and Salletar settlements. Families displaced by the earthquake and undergoing rehabilitation resided there; the flood exacerbated problems as preparations for safe housing were incomplete. This disaster is equivalent to a catastrophe for Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts; normal manpower alone cannot manage such a crisis. Approximately 300 families were residing in temporary housing, of which likely only about a hundred remain safe. Most are missing, and 300 homes have been completely destroyed. There is also major damage in Baileyitar, Kerenobisey, and Betrawati market areas. The people from these areas were somewhat affluent and capable of sheltering others. Currently, many have lost family members and some are forced to live along the roadside. We are facing an extremely difficult situation.
