Passenger bus rescued from flooded Nawa Khola

A passenger bus traveling from Taplejung to Kathmandu was successfully rescued after becoming stranded in the Nawa Khola on Friday afternoon. The vehicle, carrying thirty individuals, became stuck mid-river while attempting to cross the Tamor Corridor during high water levels caused by persistent rainfall. According to the District Police Office in Dhankuta, Police Inspector Pandav Rajbanshi confirmed that all passengers were safely evacuated using a JCB excavator, which was also utilized to recover the bus from the riverbed.

Heavy rainfall, which began on Thursday, has forced a complete suspension of traffic along the Tamor Corridor, a critical transport link connecting the Terai regions to Taplejung. The incident has renewed attention on the lack of a permanent bridge over the Nawa Khola. Despite a construction contract being awarded, the project remains incomplete following multiple deadline extensions, leaving travelers frequently vulnerable to seasonal flooding and road closures.