KATHMANDU: A sudden flash flood has caused significant damage in Syafrubesi, Timure and other areas of Rasuwa, with settlements in both Rasuwa and neighbouring Nuwakot districts at risk.

Areas including Timure, Syafrubesi, Mailung, Pahire Bensi, Khalte and Betrabati have been affected or placed at risk by the rising floodwaters. The full extent of the damage is yet to be determined.

Communications Minister Dr. Bikram Timilsina said reports have been received of extensive damage in Syafrubesi, Timure and surrounding areas due to the severe flooding.

The government has instructed security agencies, district administration offices, local governments, disaster management authorities and other concerned agencies to remain on high alert and keep rescue and relief operations ready.

Timilsina urged residents living along riverbanks and in other vulnerable areas of Rasuwa and Nuwakot to exercise extreme caution.

“Residents in riverbank areas and locations vulnerable to landslides are requested to remain particularly alert,” Timilsina said. “Please avoid riverbanks, landslide-prone areas and unnecessary travel. Follow warnings and information issued by local authorities, security agencies and other official bodies.”

He also urged the public to rely on official information rather than rumours, saying the situation could continue to develop.

Meanwhile, the secretariat of Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle said a major flood had reportedly occurred several hours earlier around Timure and Syafrubesi following heavy rainfall.

The Finance Ministry said the minister, Finance Secretary Dr. Ghanshyam Upadhyay, Department of Customs Director General Yamlal Bhusal and senior officials were coordinating with the Customs Office and subordinate agencies on search, rescue and other necessary operations.

Cause of sudden flood remains unclear

Rasuwa Chief District Officer Narendra Pariyar said the flood arrived suddenly and caused damage in Syafrubesi and other market and settlement areas.

He said authorities had yet to establish the exact extent of the damage or determine the cause of the sudden surge.

“There are reports that a sudden flood occurred. We do not yet have a clear assessment of the damage, but initial information suggests it has caused considerable losses. We are trying to establish contact with people in the affected areas,” Pariyar said.

Pariyar said there had been no rainfall around the district headquarters when the flooding occurred.

“There has been no rain here. The sun is shining here. We do not know whether an upstream glacial lake burst or something else happened. The flood appeared suddenly, and it appears to have affected settlements. We have not received all the details yet,” he said.

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the flood was caused by a glacial lake outburst, intense upstream rainfall or another event.

Dhading put on alert as Trishuli river rises

The sudden flood in Rasuwa has also raised concerns downstream along the Trishuli River. The Dhading District Administration has urged residents and others along the riverbanks to remain alert, warning that the river’s water level could rise rapidly.

In a notice issued by the Chief District Officer of Dhading, authorities said they had received information about a sudden flood in the Trishuli River and warned of a possible increase in river flow and associated disaster risks.

People involved in fishing or other activities in the river, as well as workers in the area, have been advised not to enter the river. Those already there have been urged to move immediately to safer locations.

Residents living near the river, offices located along the riverbanks, and both under-construction and operational projects have also been asked to take necessary precautions and make appropriate preparations.

The administration has urged people to immediately inform the District Emergency Operations Centre, local representatives or the nearest security unit in the event of any disaster.

Authorities have also provided emergency contact numbers, including Nepal Police at 100, the Armed Police Force at 1114, and the District Emergency Operations Centre.

The full scale of the damage caused by the flash flood in Rasuwa remains unclear, while authorities continue search, rescue, assessment and coordination efforts.