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Nepal Floods Devastate Rasuwa: River Widens Sixfold
4 Sep
Summary
- A rock and ice avalanche caused devastating flash floods and mudslides.
- The Trishuli River expanded up to six times its original width.
- Over 1,200 people reported dead, with thousands still missing in Nepal and China.
A massive rock and ice avalanche originating from the Tibet-Nepal border on August 26 unleashed devastating flash floods and mudslides across Nepal's Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Lalitpur districts. The Trishuli River, carrying the brunt of the debris, saw its width surge dramatically, in some locations expanding up to six times its original size. For instance, in Timure, the river grew from 78 metres to 350 metres wide, while in Nuwakot's Chaupthoke locality, it expanded from 65 metres to 443 metres.
The disaster has resulted in significant loss of life and widespread destruction. As of reports, over 1,200 people have died in Nepal, with over 5,000 still missing. China has reported 21 deaths and 541 missing individuals. Rescue efforts are in their tenth day, with a remarkable rescue of two workers trapped in the Trishuli-3 'A' Hydropower Project tunnel providing a glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy.