Bagmati Province launches land rescue for stranded passengers in Dhunche after Bhote Koshi floods

Bagmati Province has launched a land rescue operation for pilgrims, tourists and locals stranded in Dhunche after floods in the Bhote Koshi river corridor cut off regular travel routes. The move aims to get people out safely through an alternative overland path while emergency teams manage the fallout from the August 26 disaster.

Chief Minister Kiran Thapa Magar has been coordinating the rescue effort, which sends stranded passengers by vehicle to Mahabir, then requires about a one-hour walk before they can continue by transport from Chaugati to Kathmandu. The province has also arranged free meals for affected travelers at Dhunche and Chaugati, turning the rescue into both a transport and relief operation.

How the rescue route works

With road access disrupted, officials have opted for a practical land corridor that avoids the worst-hit sections of the network. Travelers are being moved in stages, first by vehicle, then on foot, and then again by road transport toward Kathmandu.

The arrangement reflects the urgency of the situation in Dhunche, where many passengers have been waiting for a safe way out since the flood emergency began. It also shows how local authorities are leaning on flexible logistics rather than waiting for a full restoration of the route.

Relief beyond transportation

Food support has become a key part of the response. Free meals at Dhunche and Chaugati are intended to reduce the burden on people who may have already spent hours or days stranded, anxious, and unable to move normally through the region.

This kind of on-the-ground assistance matters in disaster response because transport alone is not enough. People caught in flood disruption often need food, coordination, and clear handoffs between each stage of the journey.

Why this matters

The Bhote Koshi floods have once again exposed how vulnerable mountain travel corridors can be during extreme weather events. When roads fail, even short-distance movement becomes a complex rescue operation requiring local government coordination, temporary routes, and direct support for stranded people.

For pilgrims, tourists, and local residents, the Bagmati Province response offers a fast path back toward Kathmandu and a sign that officials are trying to keep evacuation orderly amid a fast-moving emergency.