Press Briefing Note by Foreign Secretary on Bhote Koshi Flood

(Saturday, 2:00 PM, 30 August 2026)

Friends from media both present here and those following us live through our channels.

I will now provide some important updates on the ongoing search, rescue and relief operations, among other matters.

1. Following the devastating flash floods in Bhote Koshi River on 26 August 2026, the Government of Nepal has mobilised all available resources and efforts at its disposal for search, rescue, relief and recovery operations, with particular attention to people who remain missing, including both Nepali and foreign nationals.
    
2. Our immediate national priority remains clear: to save lives, locate missing persons, rescue them, provide urgent relief to survivors, and ensure that affected Nepali as well as foreign receive appropriate assistance and support.

To this end, around 19000 security personnel and 16 helicopters have been mobilised in the affected areas.

Similarly, we are also taking support from the international community as necessitated. In coordination with the Nepali Army, some tunnel rescue experts from India, China and Republic of Korea have been also mobilied especially to rescue the persons trapped in tunnels.  
 

3. So far, 734 bodies have been recovered from the areas and about 2498 people are still unaccounted for. Over 8186 people have been rescued from the regions, including over 261 foreign nationals. Over 400 foreign nationals are still missing.

As operations continue, updated and further verified figures will be available on our website as reported by our agencies, particularly NDRRMA and Nepal Tourism Board.
 

4. The operations on the ground are carried out effectively, and the figures concerning casualties, missing persons and damage continue to change as search and verification operations continue.

I would like to reiterate the appeal of the Government to the public as well as national and international media to rely on officially verified information and to avoid publishing/broadcasting unconfirmed reports. We are committed to providing and updating you regularly.

5. The Government of Nepal is mobilising all resources at its disposal for the search, rescue and relief operations. Separate teams including security personnel, provincial and local governments, medical and emergency responders are continuously working together in the affected areas of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan Districts to locate, search, rescue and assist them who have been affected and need urgent help.
    

6. Relief operations of the Government continue to focus on providing immediate and all necessary assistance, including emergency medical care, food, safe drinking water, temporary shelter and other essential supplies.
    

7. In this hour of difficulty, the Government continues its close communication and coordination with our immediate neighbours and international community. Many foreign nationals are still missing. So, a dedicated Emergency Control Room at the Ministry is coordinating with relevant agencies as well as with the families of missing people.

 Our diplomatic missions are also constantly sharing and updating verified information, and facilitating communication with families and extend any necessary assistance, identification and repatriation procedures.
 

8. In view of the rainy season and possible floods, the river systems and downstream flood risks are being continuously monitored. Our systems are on high alert for any additional flood risks and all required coordination is in place.

9. The situation is being effectively handled by unified teams of our security and other agencies. Our agencies are working with specialised technical teams for tunnel rescue from India (11 people) and China (9 people) and Republic of Korea.  

Similarly, we have also received airtight bags for the management of the dead bodies and more are also being delivered. A team of 18 forensics experts from India specialising in DNA analysis has also arrived. Our coordination in this regard continues.

10. Relief and humanitarian assistance are being provided in the affected areas. We are deeply grateful to our friends and partners for their solidarity, goodwill and generous offers of support at this difficult time. We have already received relief materials from India China and UAE and other countries. Essential items are also being received from USA, Japan, Qatar, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan and other countries and partners.

As relief operations continue, further assessments are being made and we will reach out to our neighbours and international partners for additional assistance and support as needed.

We have also received generous pledges of monetary assistance from our friends and partners from across the world. We deeply value support and assistance in this difficult time, and we are truly grateful.

11. Given the extensive damage to critical infrastructure, houses, road networks, bridges and hydropower facilities etc., a detailed assessment of the needs is currently underway for PDNA. We anticipate requiring international assistance for rehabilitation and reconstruction.

As the assessment progresses, we will communicate specific requirements later.

12. With regard to the Government’s priority for the search, rescue and relief operations, Rt. Hon Prime Minister himself deeply engaged in coordinating and supervising this operation.
    
    Rt. Hon. Prime Minister had telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister on 26 August 2026 and with the Prime Minister of Pakistan on 28 August 2026.

Hon. Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Shisir Khanal has also talked to his counterparts and dignitaries of India, China, United Kingdom, South Korea, Australia, Bangladesh, South Africa, Venezuela, USA, among others. This shows the current priority of the Government to seek international support in ongoing Nepal’s effort in search, rescues and relief especially in the field of expertise including tunnel rescue team as well as specific instruments. 

13. The Government of Nepal has received hundreds of Condolences Message and willingness of support to Nepal at this difficult hour from Heads of States, Heads of Government, Foreign Ministers as well as Heads of International Organisations and Specialised agencies, among others.
    
    We express our sincere gratitude to all of them for this gesture of solidarity and support.

14. Following standard and accepted protocols such as those by ICRC, the mortal remains of the dead (especially those not recognisable, amputated and decomposed due to longer time exposure to water) have been temporarily buried. Medical teams take DNA samples from every victim prior to the burial so that families can match records later, and will be allowed to exhume for necessary rituals. 
     

15. As our foreign minister highlighted yesterday, we have seen some false reports circulating in national and foreign media that Nepal has rejected international assistance and support. We have requested international support only to cater particular purpose such as tunnel rescue team at this rescue and relief state. We will require a significant level of support in the phase of reconstruction.
     
16. The Government of Nepal already has Prime Minister Relief Fund for such catastrophic calamities.

Nepali as well as foreign nationals at home and abroad can contribute to this fund through QR Code. We request donors to verify the authenticity of the QR/link before making the payment.

I also take this opportunity to request all those contributors to please verify that correct account and QR and links before making contributions.

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We express our sincere gratitude to our neighbours, friendly countries and partners for standing with Nepal at this difficult hour, and for extending their support and assistance, as well as for their heartfelt expressions of condolences and solidarity. Your friendship and support are deeply appreciated.

We also thank all our media friends for your continued support, cooperation and responsible reporting during this difficult time.

The Ministry will continue to keep you regularly updated through its official website, social media channels and further media briefings.

Thank you for being with us and for your continued understanding and support.

Thank you.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Singhadurbar, Kathmandu

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