Chris Infotainment

Resumption of Operations at Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Plant Kathmandu, Dec. 7 — The Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Plant in Rasuwa, developed by Chilime Hydropower Company, has resumed partial operations following a significant flood event that damaged its infrastructure. On June 8, a glacial burst in Tibet's Lhende River triggered a severe flood that caused extensive damage to the plant’s structures, including the headworks. After completing repairs on the headworks, water was temporarily diverted from the river, and one of the three units in the powerhouse was restarted on Saturday. The plant has an installed capacity of 111 megawatts, with each unit producing 37 megawatts. The remaining two units are expected to be operational within a month, according to Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Managing Director Manoj Silwal. He also mentioned that other repair work in the headworks area will be completed before the next monsoon season. NEA holds the majority stakes in Chilime Hydropower Com...

An electric vehicle drifted on a submerged road until a gasoline car showed up and nudged it out of the flood zone. The video opens with an electric vehicle floating in floodwater, rocking with each passing wave as it drifts along the submerged road. The scene captures a moment of unexpected cooperation between two vehicles, one electric and the other powered by gasoline. A gasoline car then approaches from behind and slowly pushes the stranded vehicle toward dry ground. The action is both surprising and heartwarming, as the driver of the gasoline car takes it upon themselves to help their fellow motorist. The scene resembles a land-based version of Titanic as the electric car is nudged out of danger. Viewers expressed both concern and amusement at the unusual cooperation. Some were worried about the safety of the electric vehicle, while others found the situation amusing due to its surreal nature. The gentle push proved effective and helped the electric car escape the flooded s...

A New Agricultural Boom on the Chars As floodwaters gradually receded across northern Bangladesh, the newly deposited silt has transformed the sandy river islands of the Teesta, Dharla, Saniyazan, and Brahmaputra—locally known as chars—into fertile land, leading to a significant increase in agricultural activities. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, there are nearly 786 char areas in the northern rivers, and communities living there have started to rebuild their livelihoods after the recent floods. The agricultural sector is showing promising signs of recovery, with farmers focusing on cultivating a wide range of crops. Agriculturist Sirajul Islam, Additional Director of the Rangpur agricultural region, mentioned that this year's cultivation target for the chars has been set at 36,911 hectares, with an expected output of 362,000 tonnes of various crops. He explained that the harvest this year could help many families recover, as a single crop can sustain them...

A New Era of Agriculture on the Chars As floodwaters gradually receded across northern Bangladesh, the newly deposited silt has transformed the sandy river islands of the Teesta, Dharla, Saniyazan, and Brahmaputra—locally known as chars—into highly fertile land. This change has sparked a significant increase in agricultural activities, with farmers working tirelessly to cultivate the land. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, there are nearly 786 char areas within the northern rivers, and communities residing there have started to rebuild their livelihoods after the recent floods. Agriculturist Sirajul Islam, Additional Director of the Rangpur agricultural region, stated that this year's cultivation target for the chars has been set at 36,911 hectares, with an expected output of 362,000 tonnes of various crops. "Char residents are likely to recover through this year's harvest. A single crop can sustain many families for an entire year," he explain...

Impact of Severe Flooding on Southeast Asia's Tourism Industry Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia, three of Southeast Asia's most popular tourist destinations, are currently grappling with severe flooding that has caused widespread chaos and disrupted transportation in key tourist areas. The situation has raised concerns about the region's ability to meet its tourism targets for the year. Vietnam: A Region in Crisis In Vietnam, heavy rainfall has led to significant flooding across the south central region, which includes well-known tourist spots such as Nha Trang, Quy Nhon, and Phu Yen. These areas are home to some of the country’s most beloved beaches, but they have now become battlegrounds against nature’s fury. Water levels have started to recede in central Vietnam after a week of flooding and landslides that claimed 91 lives and caused extensive damage to infrastructure. This has left over 1.1 million households and businesses without power. Several sections of nation...

A Czech tourist has shared his harrowing experience of being stranded on a train for three days following the historic floods that disrupted travel in south-central Vietnam. On the morning of November 18, Nicola Burianova arrived at Saigon station with high hopes, although he had been informed that his train, SE2, would be delayed until 7:25 p.m. due to bad weather. After hours of waiting, he fell asleep as soon as he boarded the train. In the middle of the night, he was abruptly awakened by an eerie silence — the train had come to a stop. Through a rain-streaked window, Burianova could only see pitch blackness and hear the relentless downpour. The train had made an emergency stop at Tuy Hoa Station in Dak Lak, one of the most severely affected provinces after floodwaters rose, making the road ahead unsafe and posing a threat to the train's stability. Nicola Burianova on a flooded street in Tuy Hoa, Dak Lak Province, central Vietnam, November 2025. Photo by Burianova Burianov...

A man's journey to save his family during a natural disaster is a story of determination, resilience, and love. Nguyen Ngoc Tin, 31, embarked on a harrowing 500 km trip from Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) to Phu Yen province, driven by the urgency of rescuing his mother and grandmother from the devastating floods. The ordeal began on the night of November 19 when Tin received a desperate call from his mother. Her voice was trembling as she described the chaos around her. "The water has swallowed our one-story house. Your grandmother and I are sitting on the roof, hungry and thirsty, and no one has come to help," she said. Shortly after, he lost contact with her, which only intensified his resolve to act. Tin knew that the road ahead would be treacherous. He decided to leave HCMC at noon on November 20, loading his car with food and drinking water. His plan was to take National Highway 1, the main route connecting the southern city to the central region. However, as he approac...

Escalating Impact of Flooding and Landslides in Central Vietnam The ongoing flooding and landslides in central Vietnam have resulted in a tragic death toll of 55 people, with 13 others still unaccounted for, according to recent updates from authorities. The situation remains critical as relief efforts continue around the clock. Regional Toll and Ongoing Risks Dak Lak province has been the hardest hit, with 27 reported deaths, followed closely by Khanh Hoa, which recorded 14 fatalities. Gia Lai and Lam Dong each saw five deaths, while two more were reported in Hue and Da Nang. The number of missing individuals stands at 13, primarily in Dak Lak and Khanh Hoa. The casualty count has risen by 10 since the previous day, even as river levels on major waterways begin to recede. However, the threat is far from over, as experts warn that the risk of flash floods and landslides remains high due to expected continued rainfall. Water Levels and Warnings The Department of Dyke Management an...

Hoi An's ancient quarter experienced another round of flooding late on November 15, following several days of widespread heavy rain. The rainfall led to the release of water from upstream hydropower reservoirs, which submerged much of the UNESCO-listed town overnight. By around 10 p.m., water had risen over nearly the entire stretch of Bach Dang Street, with the deepest areas reaching approximately 0.4 meters. The overflow extended into nearby streets such as Hoang Van Thu, Le Loi, and Chau Thuong Van, causing almost all nighttime businesses to close. Bach Dang Street in Hoi An in central Vietnam is flooded on the night of November 15, 2025. Photo by Cuong Art Residents quickly moved to lift belongings, push motorbikes and e-bikes to higher ground, and prepare for further flooding. Many cafes and restaurants closed early, but some foreign tourists remained to observe the rain. A few even waded through knee-deep water to explore the old town. Locals have long known that Bach D...

Maxwell Nusbaum lifted a sandbag and placed it on Sasha Khazatsky’s shoulders as they helped local people reinforce the An Luong embankment in Da Nang City against rising floodwaters. A video posted on Monday showing two foreign men in work gloves shoveling sand and carrying bags to reinforce the embankment went viral on Vietnamese social media. It drew more than four million views and thousands of comments within just a day. Sasha Khazatsky (L) and Maxwell Nusbaum (R) help reinforce the An Luong embankment in Duy Nghia Commune, Da Nang City, on the morning of Nov. 3, 2025. Photo courtesy of the duo Nusbaum, 27, and Khazatsky, 26, from New York City are co-founders of a robotics company and often travel to different parts of the world to learn about local cultures. Last year they spent three months in the snowy forests of Canada before moving to the Middle East for six months. They arrived in Vietnam in August to travel, research its market and recruit staff. They reached Hoi An d...

Nguyen Van, a resident of Da Nang, describes the floods as something that has become like an office worker: arriving every Monday, leaving by the weekend, allowing people to clean up, and then returning the following Monday. On October 22, after seeing forecasts of heavy rains that could flood streets and cut off access to markets, the 35-year-old stocked her fridge with enough provisions for a week. However, the rain never came. As days passed, she and her husband gradually cooked through their supplies, and she laughed at her over-cautiousness. Then, just as they relaxed, the skies opened, pelting the city with rain and causing floodwaters to rise along with their worries about running out of food. By the afternoon of October 28, water had poured down their alley and quickly flooded their home. They only had time to move electronic items to the attic and grab four sets of clothes. For the first three days, the water stubbornly remained nearly two meters deep. Her husband, Jonatha...

Impact of Flooding on Tourism in Central Vietnam A series of storms and severe flooding in central Vietnam have significantly affected the tourism sector, leading to a sharp decline in visitor numbers and widespread cancellations of hotel bookings and travel plans. This has left many local businesses struggling to recover from the disruptions. German Sae, a tourist, decided to cut her trip short and left Hoi An two days early. She explained, "Although I sympathize with local residents, I did not want my trip disrupted." After leaving Hoi An, she continued her journey to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. In recent weeks, the tourism industry in areas like Hue and Hoi An has been severely impacted by heavy rains and relentless flooding. The situation has become particularly dire, with many attractions and businesses forced to shut down temporarily. The Hue Imperial Citadel, located on the northern bank of the Huong River, was surrounded by water, making it inaccessible for visit...

Unnamed Storm Threatens East Coast with Flooding and High Winds A powerful storm, without a name, is heading up the East Coast, bringing with it the potential for significant flooding and high winds. This weather system is expected to impact regions from South Carolina all the way to New Jersey, with New York City facing strong winds over the Columbus Day holiday weekend. Acting New Jersey Governor Tahesha Way urged residents to stay cautious and monitor local weather forecasts. "I urge all New Jerseyans to exercise caution, monitor local weather forecasts and warnings, stay informed on evacuation protocols, and remain off the roads unless absolutely necessary," she said in a statement. The state of emergency is effective from 10pm on Saturday. Maryland Governor Wes Moore also advised residents to stay vigilant, especially along the coast and inland areas. The storm could lead to major travel disruptions at key transportation hubs such as Washington, D.C., New York City, a...

Unprecedented Weather Threats Loom Over the United States and Hawaii A series of powerful hurricanes are currently posing significant threats to various regions across the United States, with millions of people bracing for dangerous weather conditions. The remnants of Hurricane Lorena have already started affecting the Southwest, bringing heavy rainfall, severe thunderstorms, and potential power outages. This storm is expected to impact several states, including Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah, throughout the weekend and into the following week. Hurricane Lorena initially strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane before making landfall on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. Although it has since weakened into a tropical storm, its future strength remains uncertain as it continues its journey toward the U.S. Experts like Alex DaSilva from AccuWeather emphasize that the storm's effects will largely depend on its path in the coming days. Meanwhile, Hawaii faces...