Passenger bus rescued from flooded Nawa Khola

A passenger bus traveling from Taplejung to Kathmandu became stranded in the Nawa Khola on Friday afternoon, prompting a rescue operation for all thirty individuals on board. The incident occurred along the Tamor Corridor, which marks the border between Panchthar and Dhankuta districts, as the vehicle attempted to cross the river despite high water levels caused by persistent rainfall.

According to the District Police Office in Dhankuta, the bus, identified by license plate Province 1-01-001 Kha 4233, became stuck in the middle of the river. Police Inspector Pandav Rajbanshi stated that all passengers were safely evacuated from the vehicle with the assistance of a JCB excavator. The bus was subsequently recovered from the riverbed using the same machinery.

Heavy rainfall, which began on Thursday morning, has caused water levels to rise significantly in the Nawa Khola and several other local rivers. As a result of the high flow, traffic along the Tamor Corridor has been completely suspended. The corridor serves as a vital transport link, connecting the Terai regions of Morang and Sunsari—including the provincial capital, Biratnagar—to the mountainous district of Taplejung via Dhankuta and Panchthar.

Infrastructure challenges

The recurring disruption of travel on this route has highlighted the lack of a permanent bridge over the Nawa Khola. Local reports from Gorkhapatra, Nepal Television, DC Nepal, and Kendrabindu all emphasize that the absence of a bridge forces commuters and residents to face significant hardships whenever monsoon rains or heavy weather cause the river to swell.

While a contract for the construction of a bridge has been awarded, the project remains incomplete despite multiple extensions to the construction deadline. This delay continues to leave travelers vulnerable to seasonal flooding and road closures along this critical corridor.