18 people missing after floods wash away Nepal-China border bridge

Kathmandu: At least eighteen people were missing after a river flooded by monsoon rains on Tuesday washed away the Friendship Bridge connecting Nepal 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.

Eighteen people, including six Chinese nationals, have gone missing, official sources said.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), 11 people, including two police personnel, were rescued by the joint team of Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police.

Arjun Paudel, chief district officer of Rasuwa, said the flood caused heavy damage. Authorities have advised residents downstream to move to safer areas.

The flooding also swept away several houses and five electric vehicles imported from China.

Meanwhile, police recovered two bodies from the Trishuli River in Gajuri Rural Municipality of Dhading district on Tuesday morning. Their identities could not be ascertained.

The Nepal Army’s rescue team has also rescued 23 labourers, including a Chinese national, who were stranded at the Rasuwagadhi Hydropower project after the area was submerged due to the flood triggered by the heavy rain. The hydropower plant was also partially damaged due to the flood, according to local authorities.