As Nepal's monsoon season wreaks havoc, three lives have been lost and countless others are missing after flash floods destroyed the vital Nepal-China Friendship Bridge, with rescuers searching desperately for those affected.
Flash Floods Devastate Nepal: Bridge to China Collapses
Flash Floods Devastate Nepal: Bridge to China Collapses
Nepal grapples with life-threatening flash floods as a key bridge to China is swept away, prompting urgent rescue operations.
Flash floods in the Rasuwa district of Nepal have claimed at least three lives and obliterated the essential bridge connecting to China, according to officials on Tuesday. Emergency personnel are actively searching for missing individuals amidst the chaos triggered by the monsoon rains.
The flash floods began early Tuesday, resulting in significant damage to the customs yard at the border, where an array of vehicles and cargo containers were stationed. Reports indicate that numerous hydropower plants have also suffered damage, leading to widespread power outages.
The Nepal Army, alongside police teams, utilized helicopters to successfully rescue nine individuals; however, many remain unaccounted for, including three police officers, nine Nepali civilians, and six Chinese nationals. These officers were reportedly swept away while attempting to assist others in the rescue effort.
The hilly terrain of Nepal makes it particularly susceptible to such hazards, and experts attribute the heightened danger of disasters to shifting climate patterns. Recent years have seen an increase in erratic weather, leading to severe floods, landslides, and glacial lake outbursts. In the previous year, 495 people perished due to monsoon-related incidents.
The impacts of the monsoon are not confined to Nepal; neighboring India has also witnessed devastating rainfall, especially in Himachal Pradesh, where about 80 individuals have died, with 35 more still missing due to flash floods and landslides since June 20. In just 24 hours, reports show 14 fatalities across five Indian states related to heavy rains and flooding.
The ongoing search and rescue operations continue amid growing concern for the safety of both communities near the border and for the resilience of the infrastructure in these vulnerable areas.
