NEPAL- BHOTE KOSHI
Map: India
Current relevance:
A
devastating flash flood struck the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa
district on 26 August 2026, causing major loss of life and extensive damage
to settlements, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure.
Continent:
Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia, in the continent of Asia, situated along the central Himalayan region between India and China.
Important Places in News:
1.
Rasuwa: Himalayan border district and the
principal area affected by the flash flood.
2.
Rasuwagadhi: Important Nepal–China border
crossing on the route towards Tibet; Nepal's Department of Hydrology and
Meteorology maintains a Bhote Koshi hydrological station at Rasuwagadhi.
3.
Nuwakot: District immediately downstream of
Rasuwa and among the areas affected by the flood.
4.
Bidur: Headquarters of Nuwakot district
and an important downstream settlement.
5.
Dhading
and Gorkha: Also
reported by Nepal's government among the districts whose riverbank areas were
affected.
6.
Tibet: Lies immediately north of Rasuwa across
Nepal's border with China.
Bordering Countries:
Nepal
shares international borders with only two countries — China to
the north and India to the east, south and west.
Important River System:
1.
Koshi
(Saptakoshi): Major
eastern Nepal river system. Its principal tributaries include the Sun Koshi,
Arun and Tamur. The Koshi ultimately enters India and joins the Ganga.
2.
Narayani
(Gandaki): Major
central Nepal river system. Important tributaries include Kali Gandaki,
Trishuli, Budhi Gandaki, Marsyangdi and Seti. It enters India as the Gandak
and ultimately joins the Ganga.
3.
Karnali: Major western Nepal river system, with
tributaries including Bheri, West Seti and Humla Karnali. It flows into
India, where the downstream system is associated with the Ghaghara, a
tributary of the Ganga.
4.
Mahakali: Forms much of the western boundary
between Nepal and India and is an important transboundary Himalayan River.
5.
River
associate with Rasuwa flood:
Bhote Koshi is an important Himalayan transboundary river
of Nepal. Bhote Koshi in Sindhupalchok as a steep-gradient Himalayan
River famous for rafting and kayaking, with powerful rapids.
Significance:
1.
Himalayan
disaster vulnerability:
Nepal's steep Himalayan terrain, glaciers, glacial lakes and deeply incised
river valleys make its mountain districts vulnerable to flash floods,
landslides and GLOFs.
2.
Transboundary
dimension: Rasuwa lies
directly along the Nepal–China/Tibet frontier, making upstream Himalayan
hydrology and disaster monitoring important for downstream communities.
3.
India
connectivity: Nepal's
river systems ultimately connect with the Ganga basin in India, making
Himalayan hydrology important from a transboundary water perspective.
4.
Strategic
connectivity: Rasuwagadhi
is an important Nepal–China border gateway and forms part of a major route
connecting Kathmandu with Tibet.
5.
Tourism
and pilgrimage: The
affected corridor is also significant for cross-border travel, including
travellers heading towards Tibet and the Kailash–Mansarovar region.
Source: THE HINDU