Bhotekoshi Flood Devastates Rasuwa, Hits 430MW Power Projects

Kathmandu: A massive flash flood in the Bhotekoshi River originating from Tibet has caused widespread destruction in Rasuwa, severely damaging hydropower and solar power infrastructure with a combined capacity of 430 megawatts.

According to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the flood damaged structures associated with 11 hydropower projects totaling 405MW and a 25MW solar project operating in the region.

Among the affected facilities are the Rasuwagadhi, Chilime, Trishuli 3A, Trishuli 3B, Trishuli and Devighat hydropower projects, as well as a 220kV substation. The flood has also affected the Sanjen, Upper Sanjen, Langtang, Upper Mailung and Mailung hydropower projects.

The 111MW Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project, located near the Nepal-China border, has suffered particularly severe damage. Its power plant and electricity substation have reportedly been completely destroyed, NEA spokesperson Rajan Dhakal said.

Rasuwa Chief District Officer Narendra Pariyar said authorities have not yet received complete details of the damage or established the cause of the sudden flood. He said there had been no significant rainfall around the district headquarters when the flood struck.

With no apparent heavy rainfall on the Nepal side, authorities are investigating whether a glacial outburst or sudden release of water from an upstream area in Tibet triggered the disaster. The unusually powerful surge has raised concerns that downstream areas may also have been affected.

Floodwaters and landslides have caused extensive damage in Timure and surrounding areas, but detailed information on casualties, missing people and infrastructure losses remains unavailable.

The disaster occurred exactly one year after another devastating flood in the same region. On July 8, 2025, at least nine people were killed and 19 went missing after flooding from Tibet's Lende River merged with the Bhotekoshi. The disaster swept away the Miteri Bridge linking Nepal and China and severely damaged the Rasuwagadhi dry port, hydropower infrastructure and the Syabrubesi–Rasuwagadhi road.

The latest disaster has once again highlighted the vulnerability of Nepal's critical hydropower and border infrastructure to sudden floods originating upstream in Tibet.