More than 200 members of churches in Nepal's flood-hit Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts remain unaccounted for, while at least nine church buildings have been damaged following the devastating Bhote Koshi–Trishuli floods that struck the region on August 26.
The catastrophic flooding came through the Bhote Koshi River from the Kerung area of China, causing widespread destruction across Rasuwa and downstream areas.
Pastor Dr. Kiran Kumar Das, president of the National Churches Fellowship of Nepal (NCF Nepal), said that nine church buildings in the flood-affected districts of Rasuwa and Nuwakot have so far been damaged, while more than 200 church members remain unaccounted for.
Calling the Bhote Koshi–Trishuli disaster a national catastrophe, Dr. Das urged churches around the world to unite in providing relief, rescue and reconstruction support to affected churches and Christian communities in Nepal.
He praised the Nepal government's ongoing efforts to search for and rescue people who remain missing following the floods. He also called on churches worldwide to come together to raise funds and provide assistance to affected families during the crisis.
Dr. Das expressed deep sorrow over the loss of human lives and damage to church properties in Rasuwa and Nuwakot. He appealed to the global Christian community for financial assistance to rebuild church buildings that have been damaged or destroyed by the disaster.
He also said that NCF Nepal and the Relief and Rebuild Working Committee of NCF Nepal have formed a joint task force to coordinate relief distribution to flood-affected churches and Christian communities, as well as reconstruction efforts. According to Dr. Das, the task force will work jointly to coordinate relief and rebuilding activities. Dr Das is the coordinator of this committee.
"The country is in mourning, people are broken and their hearts are shattered. But this is also the right time for us to go to the flood-affected areas and share the love of Jesus," Dr. Das said. He urged Nepali-speaking churches around the world to support the affected communities through prayer and financial assistance.
Calls for Global Church Support
Pastor Rajendra Malla, general secretary of the Nepal Christian Society, said that the state had not adequately addressed damage to church properties during previous natural disasters. He appealed to Nepali-speaking churches in Nepal and abroad to support the reconstruction of damaged church buildings and provide relief to affected church members.
Malla said that as the entire nation is mourning the loss and destruction caused by the floods, church members across Nepal should take the lead in search and rescue operations, relief distribution, and other humanitarian efforts in affected areas.
Three Churches Destroyed in Rasuwa
Pastor Bal Krishna Shrestha, president of the Christian Society Rasuwa, confirmed that three church buildings in Rasuwa have been completely destroyed by the Bhote Koshi flood and that more than 100 church members remain unaccounted for.
According to Shrestha, the affected churches in Rasuwa include Beria Church in Syaphrubesi, Punurutthan Church in Betrabati and Emmanuel Church in Betrabati.
Shrestha said Rasuwa currently has 42 churches, with churches having been established in the district since 1991 (B.S. 2048). He said the district has approximately 2,500 church members.
He recalled that the 2015 earthquake caused significant damage in the district and said he was deeply saddened that churches are now facing further human and physical losses as a result of the floods.
Shrestha appealed to Nepali-speaking churches around the world to pray for the affected communities and provide financial assistance for the reconstruction of damaged church buildings.
He said that the state had not provided financial assistance for rebuilding churches following previous natural disasters and argued that churches around the world must therefore come together to support reconstruction.
Five Churches Damaged in Nuwakot
Pastor Rajan Gurung, president of the Nuwakot Christian Unity Society, said five church buildings in Nuwakot were damaged by the Bhote Koshi flood, while another church building sustained partial damage.
He confirmed that more than 100 church members in Nuwakot remain unaccounted for.
According to Gurung, the affected churches include Believers Eastern Church in Devighat, Believers Eastern Church in Akkare, Punurutthan Swatantra Church in Betrabati and GhodenI AG Fellowship in Trishuli. The Nava Jyoti Baptist Church building sustained partial damage.
Pastor Ishwor Pudasaini, an adviser to the Nuwakot Christian Unity Society, said he was deeply traumatised after witnessing the devastating floodwaters surge through the area with extraordinary force.
"I could not compose myself after witnessing the unimaginable destruction caused by the flood right before my eyes," Pudasaini said, adding that he continues to experience trauma from the disaster.
He appealed to the wider church community to provide relief assistance to people affected by the floods.
According to Pudasaini, the work of sharing the Gospel began in Nuwakot in 1971 (B.S. 2028). The district currently has approximately 180 churches and 13,000 church members, he said.
Church Shelters More Than 200 Flood Victims
Pastor Selbon Tamang, president of Assemblies of God Nepal, said there is an urgent need for relief assistance in Nuwakot.
He said that Trishuli AG Church, his own church in Trishuli, Nuwakot, is currently operating a holding centre for people affected by the floods, where more than 200 victims are taking shelter.
Churches Urged to Support Rescue, Relief and Reconstruction
Community development expert Dr. Navaraj Pant urged churches across Nepal to voluntarily mobilise in flood-affected areas to provide rescue, relief and reconstruction assistance.
He said settlements located along riverbanks should be relocated to safer areas and urged the government to develop new settlements in safer locations for people affected by the floods in Rasuwa and Nuwakot.
Pastor Ruben Rai, president of Church Boys United Football Club and director of Churches Network Nepal, has called on churches around the world to come together and support relief efforts in Nepal during this difficult time.
He emphasized that this is an opportunity to share the love of Jesus with flood victims and serve those affected by the disaster, rising above religious differences and putting humanitarian service first.
According to the Nepal government, at the time of publication, the death toll from the devastating Bhote Koshi floods had exceeded 1,000, while more than 4,000 people remained unaccounted for.
The government has also reported that approximately 1.6 million people have been affected by the floods.
