07/10/2025
Monsoon floods caused by a sudden glacial lake outburst in Tibet triggered a devastating flash flood in Rasuwa district, Nepal, this week. The Bhotekoshi River surged with such force that it swept away the key Friendship Bridge at Rasuwagadi, disrupting Nepal-China trade. At least 9 to 20 people have died, and up to 27 are still missing, including Chinese nationals. Rescue efforts have saved more than 50 individuals, and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli personally visited the affected areas, emphasizing the growing threat of climate disasters in the Himalayan region.
Political tensions have escalated in Kathmandu following a sharp accusation by Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak against Rastriya Swatantra Party leader Rabi Lamichhane. In Parliament, Lekhak alleged that Lamichhane had misused a U.S. visit visa by overstaying and acquiring American citizenship under questionable circumstances. The accusation was a direct attack on Lamichhane’s credibility, suggesting he lacks the moral authority to speak on national ethics and integrity.
Lamichhane, already under fire for his alleged involvement in a cooperative fraud scandal, faces a new wave of scrutiny. Earlier this year, he was convicted and remanded in custody in connection to embezzlement and organized crime charges. While he continues to deny wrongdoing, the visa allegations may further erode public confidence in his leadership, especially as he positions himself as an anti-corruption crusader in Nepali politics.
Meanwhile, a broader visa scandal is shaking the government, with evidence of large-scale misuse of visit visas for illegal overseas employment. Investigations have revealed corruption at Tribhuvan International Airport, where fake documents were allegedly used to traffic workers abroad. This scandal, which surfaced in mid-2025, has raised serious questions about oversight by the Home Ministry—placing Home Minister Lekhak himself under intense public and political pressure.
1. Escalating Toll & Rescue Operations
Flash floods in early July wiped out the “Friendship” (Miteri) Bridge over the Bhotekoshi River at Rasuwagadhi, sweeping away vehicles—including electric ones—cargo containers, and border infrastructure. Official reports vary: 9 confirmed dead with 19 missing ; other sources report 18–20 missing (). So far, over 150 people have been rescued, many airlifted to Kathmandu .
2. Infrastructure Devastation
The destruction extends beyond the bridge—Rasuwagadhi dry port, customs yard, local roads (including Pasang Lhamu Highway), and hydropower plants (e.g., Rasuwagadhi project) have all been severely damaged. The resulting collapse of electric infrastructure has disrupted power generation and cut essential communication and trade routes .
3. Origin & Climate Concerns
Preliminary analysis by climate experts like ICIMOD suggests a glacial lake outburst in Tibet triggered the flash flood—not monsoon rainfall within Nepal . That illustrates how Himalayan climate change leads to more frequent and unpredictable cross-border glacial lake outburst floods.
4. Critical Response & Ongoing Needs
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak visited Rasuwagadhi, coordinating relief efforts with security forces, while army helicopters continue airlifting stranded residents . Local reports emphasize the urgent need to restore roads, power, communication, and heavy equipment access. They also call for establishing a real-time cross-border flood warning system with China, as Nepal’s Flood Forecasting Division had no prior warning before the flood struck .