Monsoon floods sweep away 20 people and the main bridge linking Nepal to China

Monsoon rains triggered severe flooding in Nepal’s Bhotekoshi River on Tuesday, destroying the main Friendship Bridge linking Nepal and China at Rasuwagadi and leaving 20 people missing—14 Nepalis and six Chinese. Rescue teams, including an army helicopter, have saved 55 people so far. The flooding swept away homes, trucks, and parked vehicles at the border. The disaster has halted trade along this key route, forcing reliance on longer alternatives through India, the Associated Press has reported. Monsoon floods regularly disrupt life in Nepal between June and September.