A sudden flood struck Nepal’s Tibet-bordering areas on Wednesday morning, sending water and mud through Nuwakot, Dhading and surrounding areas. Witnesses said the surge swept across a wide area, burying homes and structures beneath mud. Local resident Deepika said she alerted her family after seeing the floodwater and mud approaching at about 9:30am, and they took refuge on their roof.

Although Deepika’s family survived, the ground floor of their home was completely filled with mud and they could not recover furniture or essential belongings. Even a water vessel kept for drinking was buried several feet under mud, leaving them without a glass of drinkable water. Witnesses described the landscape as a grey sea of mud, with temple spires, parts of two-storey houses and large rocks from the hills visible in places.

Twenty-four-year-old worker Bibek Kumal was swept away while fleeing a construction site but survived after becoming lodged in a mango tree; his right leg was seriously injured by the current and rocks. Eleven-year-old student Rihana Lamichhane was injured while attempting to cross a river during the flood and was rescued and admitted to hospital.