Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said on Tuesday that Nepal is deploying rescue operations on a “war footing” after floods caused large-scale damage in Rasuwa district, leaving 18 people missing.

In a post on social media, Oli said the floods had resulted in loss of life, disappearances and significant destruction. “The government has mobilised resources at a war footing to rescue those affected by the flood in the Trishuli River (The Bhotekoshi River becomes Trishuli downstream). Several lives have been lost, some people are still missing, and the damage to property is extensive,” he said.

He expressed condolences to the families of those killed and extended sympathy to all affected. Oli said he had suspended all non-essential public engagements to focus on the emergency and was receiving regular updates from security agencies. “I have directed authorities to ensure there is no shortfall in the government's response. Emergency assistance is being closely coordinated in vulnerable areas,” he added.

The Home Ministry said it had called an emergency meeting of the Central Security Committee for 1pm Tuesday to discuss rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts following flood damage in several districts.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak convened the meeting after the Bhotekoshi River flooded parts of Rasuwa district. The flood swept away the Miteri Bridge that connects Nepal and China, and submerged vehicles stationed at the local customs yard.

According to Dhruva Prasad Adhikari, assistant chief district officer of Rasuwa, 18 people have gone missing, including three police personnel, six Chinese nationals, and nine Nepali customs staff.

Government agencies are carrying out rescue operations in the affected areas, while efforts are under way to deliver emergency support and restore access in the disaster-hit region.

According to Dhruva Prasad Adhikari, assistant chief district officer of Rasuwa, the missing include three police personnel, nine civilians, and six Chinese nationals.

The torrential rainfall occurred upstream- in Chinese side- flooded the river that damaged the yard of Customs Office, Rasuwa, according to the Armed Police Force (APF). Nine loaded containers were swept away by the flood.

Some individuals trapped inside the customs yard were rescued, but ongoing operations have been hampered by the high floodwaters on all sides, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police Shailendra Thapa, assistant spokesperson for the APF.

The EV charging station at Timure has sustained damages, with some electric vehicles also carried away by the current. Damage has also been reported at the dam of the Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project, police said.

The Syaphrubenshi-Rasuwagdhi section of Pasang Lhamu Highway is damaged at Gosaikunda Rural Municipality-2 of Rasuwa, thereby affecting the transportation of rescue equipment and forces.