Floods wash away Nepal bank vault, 29 arrested over Rs 93 lakh theft

Heavy monsoon rains have once again turned Nepal’s rivers into raging torrents, and this time the deluge claimed a bank vault. Floodwaters in the central district swept away a safety deposit box that held roughly Rs 92.68 lakh (about Rs 93 lakh) in cash. The sudden loss of the vault triggered an immediate police response, and investigators quickly identified a group they say was responsible for the theft.

According to local authorities, 29 individuals have been taken into custody on suspicion of stealing the money before the vault was carried off by the flood. Police say the suspects were linked to the bank’s security system and were allegedly planning to retrieve the cash once the flood receded. Their arrests were made as part of a broader crackdown on criminal activity that often spikes during natural disasters.

The incident underscores the vulnerability of financial infrastructure in a country where landslides and flash floods are common during the monsoon season. Nepal’s disaster management agencies have been issuing warnings for weeks, urging residents to stay clear of riverbanks and to secure valuables against the unpredictable water surge. While rescue teams focus on evacuating families from flood‑hit villages, forensic experts are working to trace the missing cash and determine how much, if any, can be recovered from the displaced vault.

Officials have not disclosed the exact location of the vault’s disappearance, but they confirmed that the bank’s insurance policy will cover losses if the cash cannot be retrieved. The detained suspects face charges ranging from theft to illegal possession of stolen property, and they will remain in custody while the investigation proceeds.

The episode adds to a growing list of flood‑related crimes across South Asia, where criminals exploit chaos to target banks, shops and transport hubs. As Nepal continues to grapple with the aftermath of the monsoon, authorities stress that maintaining law and order remains a priority alongside humanitarian relief efforts.