U.S. Embassy Warns Americans in Six Districts After Nepal Flood

The U.S. Embassy in Nepal has told American citizens in six districts to move to higher ground and keep away from rivers and low-lying land after flooding in Rasuwa.

The warning covers Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Chitwan and Tanahun. Nepali authorities have alerted communities along the Bhote Koshi, Trishuli and Narayani rivers, according to the embassy.

Travel is restricted on the Prithvi Highway, the Galchhi–Nuwakot–Rasuwa–Syafrubesi road and the Mugling–Narayangadh road, the advisory said. It warned against walking, swimming or driving through floodwater.

Communications are still down across much of the flood zone. Americans who are safe should reach family, hotels, guides and trekking or tour companies as soon as they can, the embassy said, using text, email or messaging apps if calls will not connect.

Consular staff are trying to account for Americans caught in the flooding. Those in the area were asked to email their full name, location, status and the name of any tour or trekking company. How many people the embassy is looking for is not clear.

Anyone needing urgent help can call the embassy at +977-1-423-4000. The advisory asked that the line be kept clear for emergencies, with other information going to KathmanduACS@state.gov. Nepal’s disaster hotline, 1234, handles local search-and-rescue requests.

Americans in Nepal were also urged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program or update details already filed, which the embassy said help it reach people during an emergency.

Background

The Nepal Tourism Board put 384 travelers out of contact in a preliminary count Wednesday: 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepalis. Virginia Times could not verify the figure independently. Whether any of the foreign travelers are American, the board did not say.

Twenty-three survivors were brought to the district hospital in Rasuwa. Dr. Amit Prajapati, the hospital’s medical superintendent, said one of them died and the rest were still being treated.

Flooding hit the Rasuwagadhi area early Wednesday and merged into the Bhotekoshi. Early accounts describe damage at Timure, Syaphrubesi and Rasuwagadhi itself — settlements, market areas, a police office, roads and hydropower structures.

An emergency cabinet meeting designated all local jurisdictions in the flood-hit districts as disaster crisis areas for three months, Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal said. The Nepali Army, the Armed Police Force and Nepal Police have been deployed, according to Prime Minister Balen Shah, who said reinforcements and helicopters were also heading to the area.