At least one person has died and nearly 30 others are missing after a devastating flood and landslide destroyed the Miteri Bridge—also known as the Sino–Nepal Friendship Bridge—at the China–Nepal border in the early hours of July 8, 2025. The disaster, which struck around 03:15 local time, has brought all trade and transit through the Rasuwagadhi corridor to a halt.
Glacial Lake Burst Triggered Flooding
According to Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), the flood was triggered by the sudden outburst of an artificial glacial lake formed due to blockage in the Lende stream on the Chinese side of the border. When the lake burst, massive volumes of water surged into the Bhotekoshi River, rapidly raising water levels and causing catastrophic flash floods downstream.
The torrent submerged critical infrastructure, including the customs yards on both sides of the border, and swept away the Miteri Bridge—a vital trade link between China and Nepal. Arjun Paudel, Chief District Officer of Rasuwa, confirmed that a full damage assessment is underway, noting, “Customs infrastructure has suffered severe damage.”
Widespread Destruction and Economic Impact
The Rasuwagadhi customs area has been completely inundated. Containers, vehicles, and stockpiled goods—including consignments intended for Nepal’s upcoming Dashain festival—were swept away. Nearly 200 vehicles parked near the Nepalese customs yard were lost, and several homes were destroyed. Local traders have reported significant economic losses.
The flood also inflicted major damage on the 111 MW Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project. Chief Engineer Satyaram Jyakhwa confirmed damage to key infrastructure, including the powerhouse, dam, intake tunnel, and protective structures. Emergency response teams are currently assessing the full extent of the destruction.
Dozens Still Missing
At least 29 people remain missing, with reports indicating 18 individuals unaccounted for on the Nepal side and 11 more on the Chinese side. Among the missing are six Chinese workers and three Nepalese police officers stationed near the customs facility.
The missing Chinese nationals were working on the Inland Container Depot, a logistics facility being constructed with Chinese assistance roughly 80 km (50 miles) north of Kathmandu. Local authorities have deployed helicopters and over 100 personnel in ongoing search and rescue operations. The Nepal Army has rescued 11 individuals, but it remains unclear whether they were on the initial list of missing persons.
#BREAKING : A river flooded by monsoon rains swept away 18 people and the main bridge connecting Nepal with China.
— upuknews (@upuknews1) July 8, 2025
The Miteri Bridge in Rasuwa district, 120 km northeast of Kathmandu, was swept away by flooding at around 3:15 am.#Nepal #China #Flood #Flooding #rain pic.twitter.com/mHGwOrmaHr
Ongoing Risk and Disruptions
The District Administration Office had issued flood warnings weeks earlier due to heavy monsoon rains and rising water levels. Chinese officials had also alerted Nepalese authorities of potential overflow risks from glacial sources upstream in Tibet. With continued rainfall forecast, meteorologists have warned of a high likelihood of further flooding and advised residents in low-lying areas to stay on alert.
The destruction of the Miteri Bridge has effectively shut down the Rasuwagadhi trade corridor, one of Nepal’s busiest and most vital border crossings with China. The disruption comes during a critical pre-festival trading season, causing serious concern among Nepalese importers who rely heavily on this route for goods such as electronics, garments, machinery, and household items.
The loss of the bridge and supporting customs infrastructure is expected to severely impact Nepal’s supply chain and trade volume with China, especially as transport alternatives remain limited in the remote Himalayan region.
Authorities on both sides of the border are coordinating ongoing rescue and relief operations. Damage assessments and plans for temporary trade rerouting are expected to emerge in the coming days.
