26/08/2026
A flash flood out of Tibet tore through Timure, Rasuwagadhi, and Syabrubesi today 26 Aug 2026 Wednesday morning, taking roads, people, bridges, and hydropower with it.
It came without a cloud. There had been no rain at the district headquarters in Rasuwa on Wednesday morning — that is the detail every official has repeated since, and the detail that tells you this did not begin in Nepal. Somewhere on the Tibetan side of the border, sometime before eight o'clock, a great volume of water was released into the Bhote Koshi. By 9 AM, it was at Timure, and Timure was out of sight.
According to Reuters.
Cause of the Flood
* Upstream Mudslide: A massive mudslide struck the Gyirong Port area on the Chinese side of the border.
* Intense Rains: Heavy downpours in the high-altitude Tibetan Plateau triggered sudden and heavy water flow.
* Debris Blockage: The rapid surge carried rocks and soil that overwhelmed the river channel and caused a flash flood.
Impacts
* Destruction: The flood swept away roads, bridges, and local settlements near Timure and Rasuwagadhi.
* Power Damage: Several hydropower projects in the region suffered significant damage.
* Rescue Efforts: Authorities in both Nepal and China launched emergency search and rescue operations.
KHT Travel Advisory - What it means for your trip
Langtang, Kyanjin Gompa, and Gosaikunda routes are closed due to road damage on the Betrawati–Rasuwagadhi highway. Trips here are postponed or replaced with alternatives like Helambu or Mardi Himal.
The Tibet overland route via Rasuwagadhi–Kerung is suspended indefinitely due to destroyed customs bridge and road. Alternatives include Kathmandu–Lhasa flights or Simikot–Hilsa air-jeep routes.
Other trekking regions like Everest, Annapurna, Manaslu, Mustang, Dolpo, and Kanchenjunga are unaffected and operating normally.
Our office is in contact with ground teams and clients, providing verified updates. If you cannot reach friends or family in affected areas, contact us for assistance.
Stay safe and plan accordingly.🙏
