Floods hit the Nepal-China border region on 26 August, causing widespread damage and leaving at least 275 Indian citizens missing, according to India's foreign ministry. The disaster impacted both sides of the border, including the Chinese town of Gyirong and the Nepalese village of Rasuwagadhi in the Rasuwa district. The Friendship Bridge, which connects Nepal and China, was destroyed, along with Nepal's immigration and customs facilities. The nearby small trading settlement of Timure, located near the border crossing, was also severely affected. The area is known for its geological instability, with deep gorges, steep rivers, and fast-moving water that can carry heavy sediment and large boulders. Ajay Dixit, a hydrologist in Kathmandu, explains that these conditions make the region prone to sudden and severe flooding. The border crossing is a crucial route for pilgrims traveling to Mount Kailash, traders, truck drivers, tourists, and local residents. On the morning of the flood, more than 100 Indians may have been in or near the crossing. Nepal's Department of Immigration is working to determine who was in the area before the disaster. Electronic records show that 89 people, including Nepalis and foreign nationals, had cleared immigration to leave Nepal for Tibet, while four had entered the country. The last recorded transaction occurred at 8:35:03am local time, just minutes before floodwaters appeared in CCTV footage in Gyirong. Four immigration officials, including the head of the Rasuwagadhi office, went missing during the floods. His body was later found downstream, while the female official who handled the final transactions is still missing. Among those recorded as leaving Nepal that morning were 32 Indians, 12 Chinese nationals, and nine Americans, as well as citizens from other countries. Tika Ram Pokharel, a senior immigration assistant at Rasuwagadhi, was the only known survivor from the office that day. He had traveled to Kathmandu for an exam and says the electronic records do not fully capture the situation at the border. He estimates that between 2,000 and 2,500 people may have been in the area when the flood hit, though this number has not been independently confirmed. The flood's force was such that the water surged higher than the immigration office, which was located about 100 meters above the river. The crossing is a vital link between Nepal and China, and its recent reopening after a major flood in July 2025 has seen a significant increase in traffic. However, the closure due to this latest disaster has disrupted trade and travel. The area is also part of plans for a trans-Himalayan railway connecting Nepal and China. Experts suggest that Nepal should consider developing alternative trade routes and diversifying its economic strategies to reduce reliance on this vulnerable region.