Press Briefing on Bhote Koshi Floods

(Wednesday, 2:00 PM, 2 September 2026)

We welcome you all to this fifth daily press briefing on the Bhote Koshi floods.

As you know, we are passing through a difficult time since the unprecedented floods hit the Bhote Koshi river areas on 26 August 2026. Our search and rescue efforts continue as there are many people still trapped in the tunnels along the course of the river.

Today, we will provide more updates on the ongoing search, rescue and relief operations, including tunnel rescue operations, and the assistance being received in this regard, among others.

Our search and rescue operations continue, while providing urgent relief to affected people, both Nepali and foreign nationals.

As our Rt. Hon. Prime Minister just mentioned in his address to Parliament, the Government continues to mobilise all available resources for this purpose. Our security agencies, government authorities, medical and emergency response teams, and other relevant agencies are working together in the affected areas.

A unified force of the Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force is continuing the search, rescue, evacuation and relief operations in and around the affected areas. Tunnel rescue teams from India, China and Republic of Korea are also mobilized in coordination with the Nepali Army. Rescue support equipment, drones, load carriers and materials received from neighbours, friendly countries and international community are being used, where necessary, for these operations.

As of the latest available information, 1114 bodies have been recovered, around 3,900 people still remain missing, and 11,993 people have been rescued so far, including over 300 foreign nationals, including 5 who are in contact and are safe. Approximately 590 foreign nationals from 34 (while nationals of Türkiye-2, Oman-1, Malta-4, Serbia-1 and Bulgaria-1 are either in contact or already rescued) countries remain missing. These figures continue to be updated as search and verification continue.

We would like to urge everyone, including our media friends, to rely on officially verified information and avoid reporting unconfirmed figures or reports. Updated information will continue to be made available through our website and through the relevant government agencies, particularly NDRRMA Nepal Tourism Board.

As I just presented, there are many foreign nationals still missing or affected by the disaster.

The Emergency Control Room of the Ministry continues to coordinate closely with relevant agencies, our diplomatic missions and the families of missing foreign nationals.

We remain in close contact with the countries and families concerned, also through our missions abroad, and will continue to providing information and support as needed.

The search and rescue operation is continued by our agencies and security forces, with specialised international support in specific areas of expertise from India, China and Republic of Korea.

As reported by our agencies, I would like to update you on the tunnel rescue and other operations.

Tunnel Rescue Operations:  

• The Indian Tunnel Rescue Team is working closely with the Nepali Rescue Teams in two locations: Langtang and Chilime. Some work is done towards opening the tunnel but due to mud and boulders filling the inner side of the tunnel, more needs to be done.
• The Chinese Tunnel Rescue Team is mobilsed in Upper Trisuli 3A and is working with the Nepali rescue team. They have opened some parts of the tunnel.
• The Korean Tunnel Rescue Team is also working with the Nepali teams to open the Upper Trisuli 1 tunnel. More support and logistics from the Republic of Korea are expected to join and expedite the search and rescue.

Forensic Works:

• The 19-member Indian Forensic Team continues to work on DNA sample analysis in collaboration with Nepal Police.
• A 5-member specilised forensic team from China arrived yesterday and has since joined the ongoing work by the Nepal Police to expedite the processing and analysis of DNA samples.
• To expedite the process, a Disaster Victim Identification Team of 6 individuals from Singapore has also arrived, while additional 13 members are coming today with DNA testing equipment. More members will join this team with high-capacity drones and other logistics tomorrow.
• An additional Korean Forensic Team has also joined the work recently with necessary equipment and instruments.

We have made maximum use of all expertise and resources, both available in Nepal and worldwide, and are making every possible effort to continue the search and rescue operations effectively.

We have also requested the supply of LiDAR, belly bridges, freezers, DNA testing kits, load carriers, bags for human remains, high-capacity drones, gene sequencer and other items.  

Relief materials have been effectively mobilized in the affected areas and to the affected people. Additional supplies and assistance are being mobilised by other partners. Some more supplies are being delivered today, and some more are coming soon.

We have updated a list of materials and support received and announced by the international community. The list will be made available soon.

While many parts of the affected areas are still inaccessible, we have now little more clarity on the scale and extent of the damage to houses, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other critical infrastructure.

Our preliminary assessments continue and more information will become available as these assessments complete. More comprehensive assessments will follow to find the exact loss and damage figures for rebuilding and reconstruction.

The Government continues close coordination at the highest levels, both domestically and with our neighbours and international partners.

We have already informed you about these engagements at the levels of the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and other levels, and will update you on more such engagements as they happen.

The Government of China has facilitated the return of Nepalis and foreign nationals from Tibet through other Nepal-China borders points.

• Out of estimated 3 thousand people at the time of the disaster who were en route to and from Mount Kailash, about 2500 people (mostly pilgrimage) have already returned through Hilsa and Tatopani. Remaining people have also being facilitated and some are returning from Lhasa by air.
• Approximately 1,500 Nepali nationals are currently in Kerung and we are in coordination with the Chinese side for those who want to return early.
• Regarding the 176 Nepali trucks and containers in Kerung, we are coordinating with the Chinese authorities to facilitate their rerouting through appropriate border points.
• About one hundred Nepali nationals are missing from the Chinese side of the border on that day.

I would also like to reiterate that, in view of the difficult circumstances and the increasing number of recovered mortal remains, the concerned authorities have started temporary burial after completing necessary forensic procedures.

The process is designed to facilitate identification at a later stage and enable families to receive the mortal remains of their loved ones for final rites once identification is established.

For this purpose, we request again the immediate family members of those missing to contact Nepal Police Hospital, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu or nearest District Police Office in Nepal.

In the case of those residing abroad, they can have their DNA profiles prepared in the country of residence. The DNA profile is requested to be sent to the official email of the Nepal Police, dnacodis@nepalpolice.gov.np. We have officially communicated this information to the relevant countries through our diplomatic channels already.

This remains an exceptionally painful time for Nepal.

Our hearts are with those who have lost their loved ones, with families still waiting for news of those missing, and with everyone affected by this tragedy.

Our priority remains clear: to continue our search and rescue operations, find those who are still missing and continue supporting everyone affected.

We are deeply grateful to our neighbours, friendly countries, international organisations and partners for standing with Nepal with solidarity and assistance at this difficult hour.

We also thank our media friends for the timely dissemination of verified information.

The Ministry will continue to provide regular updates through its official channels and media briefings. Our next press briefing will be at 2:15 pm tomorrow.

Thank you.