Catastrophic floods and landslides have devastated Nepal’s central Nuwakot district, leaving hundreds of residents, tourists and security personnel missing as rescue teams race to reach affected communities.
The disaster struck on August 26 after a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border the previous day triggered torrents of water, mud and debris through communities along the Trishuli River basin.
Bidur, Devighat and Trishuli Bazaar were among the areas severely affected, with buildings partially buried, vehicles submerged in sludge and critical infrastructure destroyed or badly damaged.
Nuwakot, along with neighbouring Rasuwa district, is among the worst-hit areas. Authorities are continuing search-and-rescue operations as the number of people still unaccounted for remains high.
The Nepal Army has deployed MI-17 helicopters to establish an emergency airlift corridor to the District Hospital in Trishuli. The operation is being used to evacuate critically injured survivors and provide access to rescue teams working in isolated communities.
Authorities have also placed communities along the Trishuli and Narayani rivers on high alert amid fears that unstable debris upstream could trigger additional flooding and landslides.
Several bridges and major roads connecting Nuwakot to neighbouring districts and the capital, Kathmandu, have either been swept away or sustained extensive damage, further complicating relief and rescue efforts.
Emergency teams are continuing to search damaged settlements and assess the scale of destruction, while residents in vulnerable areas have been warned to remain alert to the possibility of further disasters.
