Kathmandu, July 9 -- Officials at the Flood Forecasting Division under the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology were unaware of the flood in the Bhotekoshi river until 6 o'clock on Tuesday morning. This lack of knowledge caused deaths and widespread devastation in the Trishuli river basin.

They knew about the flood only when it reached Betrawati, the border between Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts.

"After we knew of the incident, we sent mass SMS to people of affected areas urging them to take precaution," said Binod Parajuli, senior divisional hydrologist. "We didn't get any warning of a flood in advance from China, as there is no such mechanism in place."

The deadly flood has once again exposed Nepal's vulnerability to cross-border cl...