Nepal Flash Flood Speed Was 300 Kmph, Experts Warn Of A Second Deluge - NDTV

**Flash Flood Ravages Nepal’s Mountains, Speed Recorded at 300 km/h**

A sudden flash flood swept through the central Himalayas of Nepal on Tuesday, with on‑the‑ground measurements indicating water moving at an astonishing **300 km per hour**. The torrent, triggered by unprecedented monsoon rains and rapid snowmelt, surged through valleys and riverbeds, demolishing homes, washing away bridges and inundating several small towns in the Rasuwa district. Local authorities confirmed that at least **900 people are missing** after the flood breached the intake structures of several hydroelectric units, and a key tunnel head was reported submerged, complicating rescue operations.

Rescue teams from Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) have launched an intensive search‑and‑rescue mission, deploying helicopters, rope‑teams and ground crews to locate survivors and recover bodies. The scale of the disaster has also highlighted the **limitations of Nepal‑China disaster cooperation**, as cross‑border assistance has been slow to materialise despite the proximity of Chinese‑run infrastructure in the region. Experts from the Asian Development Bank and the International Flood Initiative warn that the saturated catchments and weakened riverbanks could precipitate a **second deluge** within days, urging residents downstream—particularly in bordering Indian states such as Uttarakhand—to evacuate low‑lying areas and prepare emergency shelters.

Amid the chaos, a remarkable act of quick thinking saved lives. A local driver, en route to the popular **Mansarovar trek**, sensed the rising waters and diverted his vehicle to higher ground, pulling three tourists to safety just before a bridge collapsed. The incident underscores the critical role of community vigilance in a region where official response capacities are stretched thin. As Nepal grapples with the immediate humanitarian crisis, the flood serves as a stark reminder of the broader **Himalayan warning to India** about the escalating threats of climate‑induced extreme weather in the sub‑continent. International aid agencies have pledged support, but the coming days will determine whether Nepal can avert further loss of life and begin the long road to recovery.