By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
A devastating deluge in Bhotekoshi river at the Rasuwagadhi border along the Nepal-Tibet frontier has caused widespread destruction, with around 200 pilgrims and scores of Indian tourists reportedly missing amid severe flooding in the region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Nepalese counterpart Balendra Shah and assured all help.
The flooding has wreaked havoc around Rasuwagadhi, a key border crossing between Nepal and Tibet, leaving roads and infrastructure damaged and disrupting movement across the mountainous region.
The situation has raised serious concerns over the safety of hundreds of people who were in the area when the floods struck. Rescue and search operations are expected to face major challenges due to difficult terrain, damaged access routes and the continuing threat of flash floods.
Among those reported missing are pilgrims who had travelled through the region, along with a large number of Indian tourists. Authorities are working to ascertain their whereabouts and assess the extent of casualties and damage.
The Rasuwagadhi area is an important transit point for travellers heading towards Tibet and is also used by pilgrims undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
The disaster comes amid heavy monsoon rains across parts of Nepal, which have triggered flooding and landslides in several mountainous and low-lying areas.
Officials and rescue agencies are expected to intensify search-and-rescue efforts as weather conditions permit. Families of those missing are anxiously awaiting information about their loved ones.
Further details on casualties, the condition of the missing pilgrims and tourists, and the scale of damage are awaited.
On August 5, 2025, a massive wall of water, boulders and debris hurtling down the Khirgaad, a tributary of the Bhagirathi smashed into Dharali, reducing one of Uttarakhand’s most picturesque Himalayan townships to a mountain of rubble. Scores of people were killed.
