At least eight people have been killed in the massive flash flood that swept through two central Nepal districts bordering Tibet early Wednesday (August 26, 2206), officials said.
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officials → kill → Tibet
The massive flash flood washed away villages while damaging roads, bridges and power projects in a region bordering Tibet, authorities said.
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authorities → wash → Tibet
The flooding was not caused by local rains in Rasuwa but possibly because of the heavy rainfall or avalanche on the Tibetan side, they said, but the exact cause is yet to be ascertained.
uncertain
cause → cause → side
The areas of Syapru Besi and Timure in the mountainous district of Rasuwa, with a population of about 50,000, were severely affected, officials said, while urging those living on the banks of the Bhote Koshi river to seek higher ground.
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officials → affect → ground
The Bhote Koshi river originates in Tibet and empties into Nepal’s Trishuli river that eventually flows into India as the Gandak river.
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that → originate → river
The sudden rise in water caused widespread destruction in Timure in Rasuwa district and the nearby Syafrubesi area, with vehicles, goods and other property washed away, the Nepal Army said in a statement.
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Army → cause → statement
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRM) of Nepal, in a statement, called people residing near river banks of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitawan and Gorkha to remain on high alert and take safety measures until further notice.
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Authority → call → notice
According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the flooding was not caused by rainfall in Rasuwa.
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flooding → accord → Rasuwa
The flooding did not appear to have been caused by heavy rainfall in Rasuwa itself, according to Dinkar Kayastha, information officer at the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.
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flooding → appear → Hydrology
It might have been caused by either formation of a new glacier or bursting of the old one, he added.
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he → cause → one
“We are still studying the matter, so the real cause is not yet known,” he said and maintained that the risk of the flood from the Tibetan side has not yet vanished, so “we need to be cautious.”
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we → study → side
Investigations are under way to determine the cause of the sudden surge, with officials examining whether it was triggered by a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) or another factor, The Himalayan Times said.
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Times → determine → flood
Eight hydropower projects damaged
The flash flood damaged in-operation eight hydropower projects with a total capacity of 354 MW and five under construction projects located in Nuwakot and Rasuwa districts, according to a statement by Independent Power Producers’ Association Nepal (IPPAN).
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flood → damage → Nepal
The major in-operation hydropower projects damaged by the floods include Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project (111 MW), Sanjen Khola Hydropower Project (78 MW) and Upper Trishuli 3A (60 MW).
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projects → damage → Project
The Kathmandu Post quoted Chameli Gurung, deputy chair of Uttargaya Rural Municipality, who said around a dozen settlements, including Syaphrubesi, Betrawati, Mailung, Salletar, Shantibazar, Pairebesi, Khalti Basti, Sole, Trishuli and Battar, had been affected.
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settlements → quote → Syaphrubesi
Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police personnel were mobilised in the affected areas to carry out rescue and relief works after an emergency meeting chaired by Prime Minister Balendra Shah to assess the situation.
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Army → mobilise → situation
Nepal Army mobilised 12 helicopters to conduct search and rescue operations after the flash flood.
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Army → mobilise → flood
Six people were rescued from Syafrubesi, two from Mailung, and four from Dhunche, all in Rasuwa district, according to a Nepal Army statement.
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people → rescue → statement
The Nepal Army has also established a treatment centre at the Military Training Centre No 1 in Trishuli, where medical personnel from Nepal Army are providing emergency medical treatment to the affected people, the statement said.
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statement → establish → people
An Army helicopter (MI17) equipped with an Emergency Medical Rescue Team was also mobilised towards the district hospital in Trishuli, it added.
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it → equip → Trishuli
Prime Minister Balendra Shah said rescue and relief teams, as well as police and the military had been dispatched to help in the aid effort.
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teams → say → effort
“Instructions have been given ... to move the people living in the lower areas to safer places,” he said.
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he → give → places
“People along the river are advised to exercise extra caution and remain alert.”
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People → advise → caution
The Aporia
