Recent flash floods on the Nepal-China border, specifically in Nepal's Rasuwa district, have claimed at least nine lives and left 19 people missing as of July 9, 2025. Among the missing are six Chinese nationals and three Nepali police personnel. The disaster is believed to have been triggered by the outburst of a glacial lake in Tibet, rather than immediate heavy rainfall in the affected area, a phenomenon confirmed by both Nepali and Chinese officials.
The floods, which occurred on July 8, swept away the "Friendship Bridge" connecting Nepal and China, severely disrupting trade and transport. The Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Plant and parts of the Dry Port near the border were also damaged. Furthermore, 23 cargo containers, six freight trucks, and 35 electric vehicles were washed away. The Kodari Highway, a vital link, suffered damage over a 16 km stretch, further isolating the region.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with Nepali authorities reporting that 57 people have been rescued. Over 150 individuals, including 127 foreign nationals, were evacuated and airlifted to Kathmandu. Communication and electricity services in the affected areas were disrupted, complicating rescue efforts, although limited communication has been maintained through the Chinese border. Nepal's government has announced a compensation of $2,000 for the kin of those killed.
On the Chinese side, 11 people are reported missing, with 350 displaced in the Gyirong Port area. Over 130 people, including tourists, were trapped in Tibet near the border due to landslides and floods, with 342 evacuated. This event highlights concerns about the lack of real-time data sharing between Nepal and China regarding such natural disasters, as Nepali officials were reportedly unaware of the flood until the waters reached a downstream border point.
