Please refer to the attached file.
A major flash flood entered Nepal through the Bhote Koshi River at approximately 9:00 AM on 26 August 2026, causing significant loss and damage across Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading districts. Timure, Rasuwagadhi and Syabrubesi are among the worst affected areas, with impacts reported on communities, markets, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure.
The cause of the flood remains under investigation, with authorities assessing the possibility of a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) or another upstream hydrological event. The Government of Nepal has mobilised security forces for search, rescue and relief operations and issued alerts for communities downstream along the Trishuli River corridor.
Highlights
● More 788 bodies have been recovered; identification and recovery of bodies continue.1
● 2498 people remain missing/unaccounted for in Nepal, including more than 500 foreign nationals.2
● More than 3,700 people have been rescued through ongoing search and rescue operations.3
● 13 municipalities across four districts identified as worst affected areas.4
● More than 17,000 children have been affected, accordingly to UNICEF. 5
● 18, 918 students enrolled in schools near riverbanks. 6
● An estimated 157,050 women and girls in Rasuwa and Nuwakot have been directly or indirectly affected. 7
● 20 schools have been damaged across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading, disrupting children’s education.
● Hydropower infrastructure has been severely affected, with more than 100 people reportedly still feared trapped in a hydropower tunnel while rescue efforts continue.9
● Roads and bridges have sustained extensive damage, leaving communities isolated and forcing rescue and relief teams to rely heavily on helicopters. 10
● Search and rescue operations continue, but difficult terrain, damaged infrastructure, poor weather and unstable conditions are slowing access 11
● Secondary flood risk remains a concern because of newly formed barrier lakes, and unstable terrain, although the immediate risk from one major lake has reportedly reduced. 12
● Health, nutrition, protection, shelter and WASH partners are scaling up support alongside Government led search and rescue operations. 13
● Government-led search and rescue operations have mobilized 12, 249 security personnel and 15 helicopters, rescuing 3,700 people to date.14