Kathmandu, Aug. 28 -- Nepal's tourism industry was entering its peak season last September when the Gen Z-led anti-corruption protests brought the sector to a sudden halt.

The unrest came after years of setbacks. Before that, catastrophic floods had battered the country, two major aviation accidents had raised fresh concerns about air safety, and the Covid-19 pandemic had brought international tourism to a standstill.

Now, another disaster has struck at a particularly vulnerable time.

The devastating flash flood that swept through Rasuwa on Wednesday has shattered hopes of a strong tourism recovery, particularly for the lucrative Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage market. The disaster struck the Rasuwagadhi-Timure area, a major gateway for ...