Flash floods in Nepal wash away Miterepul bridge with China

In Nepal, a flood swept away the Miterepul Bridge that links the Himalayan nation with China. The continuous monsoon rainfall in China on Monday night triggered a flood in the Bhotekoshi River in Nepal. The Miteri Bridge in Rasuwa district, 120 km northeast of Kathmandu, was swept away by flooding at around 3:15 am on Tuesday. At least nine people were killed and 19 others were missing after heavy rains. Bodies were recovered downstream, miles away from Dhading and Chitwan districts in the Trishuli River. Among the missing are two police personnel and 11 civilians and 6 Chinese nationals.

The flood damaged Rasuwagadhi hydropower projects in the district, affecting the supply of at least 211 MW of electricity to the national power grid. The flooded river swept away 23 cargo containers, six freight trucks, and 35 electric vehicles in the Rasuwa customs office yards, imported from China. The road from Dhunche to Timure has also been blocked. The dam of Rasuwagadhi Hydro and the yard of the Customs Office in Rasuwa have been badly damaged. Security forces have rescued 55 people, including four Indians and a Chinese person so far, according to The Rasuwa District Administration Office.

Nepal’s prime minister, Khadga Prasad Oli, along with top ministers and officials visited the affected the area. According to AP reports,The destruction of the bridge has halted all trade from China to Nepal through this route. The longer alternative is for goods to be shipped from China to India and then brought overland to Nepal. Monsoon rains that begin in June and end in September often cause severe flooding in Nepal, disrupting infrastructure and endangering lives.