Nepal Police have successfully recovered cash, gold and important banking documents from the flood-damaged Trishuli Dhunge branch of the Agricultural Development Bank after an intensive rescue operation lasting around eight hours.
The recovery came amid the devastating flash floods that have caused widespread destruction across parts of Nepal, particularly along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems. The disaster has damaged homes, roads, bridges and critical infrastructure, while rescue teams continue to search for missing people.
According to Nepal Police and multiple Nepalese media reports, officers worked continuously for approximately eight hours to enter the damaged bank premises and secure valuable assets from the branch. The operation resulted in the recovery of approximately Rs 1.5 crore in cash and gold estimated to be worth around Rs 50 crore. Important banking documents were also recovered and moved to a secure location.
The figures reported are in Nepali rupees, with the gold value described by police as an estimate. The recovered assets were reportedly transferred to a high-security location following the operation. Nepal Police also shared footage of the recovery effort on social media.
Bank Branch Hit by Severe Flooding
The Agricultural Development Bank’s Trishuli Dhunge branch was among the properties affected by the flooding. The disaster was part of a much wider catastrophe that has struck Nepal and neighbouring areas following a major glacier-related event and subsequent flash flooding.
The Trishuli and Bhote Koshi river corridors have suffered extensive destruction. Rescue operations have been complicated by damaged roads, unstable terrain and continuing flood risks. Thousands of people have been reported dead or missing in the wider disaster, while large numbers of residents have been displaced.
The scale of the flooding has also severely affected Nepal’s hydropower infrastructure, with hundreds of workers reported missing at several projects in the Rasuwa and Nuwakot areas.
Eight-Hour Operation Saves Valuable Assets
The successful recovery of the bank’s assets represents an important logistical achievement for the rescue teams operating in extremely difficult conditions.
Officials not only secured the cash and gold but also recovered important documents from the damaged premises. According to reports, the operation was carried out through coordinated efforts by Nepal Police and relevant authorities.
The recovery also highlights the challenges faced by financial institutions during major natural disasters. Bank vaults and valuable assets can become difficult to access when buildings are flooded, buried under debris or damaged by powerful currents.
A Disaster Far Bigger Than the Bank
While the recovery of the bank’s assets has attracted attention because of the enormous value involved, it is only one small episode in a much larger humanitarian emergency.
Nepal is still dealing with widespread destruction and an ongoing search for missing people. Rescue teams, including Nepalese security forces and international assistance teams, are working in several affected areas.
The priority remains saving lives, locating missing people and providing food, shelter and medical assistance to communities affected by the floods.
The recovery of approximately Rs 51.5 crore worth of cash and gold, along with crucial documents, nevertheless demonstrates the risks that critical institutions face during extreme flooding—and the importance of rapid, coordinated emergency response when infrastructure and access routes are severely damaged.d by OnlineKhabar, NDTV, Banking Sansar and other Nepalese media.
