Hundreds evacuated after flash floods in Nepal

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Kathmandu: A sudden rise in water levels of a trans-boundary river originating in Tibet triggered flash floods in central Nepal, washing away over two dozen houses and forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate to safer places.

Major road sections and hydropower projects, including the Bhotekoshi Hydropower Project, suffered damages in the flash floods yesterday.

Bhotekoshi, a river originating from the Himalayas in Tibet in China, saw a sudden rise of about four metres in water levels on Tuesday night.

Over 200 houses were at risk of floods due to the rise while at least 25 houses were washed away in Tatopani area near Nepal-Tibet border, officials said.

The local administration had issued alert for Bhotekoshi river and asked the downstream villagers to move to safer locations.

The sudden rise in water levels in Bhotekoshi river could be due to cloudbursts in mountain areas on the Tibet side, bringing high-intensity rains within a short period of time, officials believe.

The increase in water levels of Sunkoshi river have damaged several roads and structures in Sindhupalchowk district. The district administration has mobilised police and army to help move villagers to safer places.