Diplomatic Briefing by Hon. Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Shisir Khanal on the Bhote Koshi Floods

Diplomatic Briefing by Hon. Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Shisir Khanal on the Bhote Koshi Floods
10:30 AM, 3 September 2026

Excellencies,
Heads and Representatives of Diplomatic Missions, United Nations agencies and other international organisations,

Good morning and Namaskar.

Thank you for joining us for this briefing.

As the Foreign Secretary has just outlined, I would like to update you on the situation arising from the devastating disaster in the Bhote Koshi River, the Government’s response, the situation of foreign nationals and the support we continue to seek from our neighbours, friends and international partners.

Excellencies,

1. On the morning of 26 August, a devastating flood, I would rather call it Himalayan Tsunami as we do not have such experience in the recent memory, struck the Bhote Koshi at Rasuwagadhi, along the Nepal–China border. Within minutes, enormous volumes of water, mud and debris swept downstream through Rasuwa and into the Trishuli and Narayani river systems, severely affecting communities and infrastructure in four districts, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan.

2. The Government continues to study the causes and evolution of this unprecedented event, including with the support of relevant technical expertise.

3. On behalf of the Government and people of Nepal, I convey our deepest condolences to all families who have lost loved ones, and our heartfelt sympathy to all those affected. This tragedy has also deeply affected the international community in Nepal, and we extend our sympathies and prayers to the families and governments of foreign nationals who remain missing or have lost their lives.
4. As of today, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, 1204 bodies have been recovered, around 4200 people remain missing, and 11,993 people have been rescued, including more than 300 foreign nationals. Approximately 590 foreign nationals from 34 countries remain missing. These figures continue to be verified as search and identification operations proceed.
5. A number of people are injured and receiving treatment. Essential medical care has been arranged, including dedicated hospital beds in Kathmandu and medical teams in the affected districts.
6. The full extent of damage to homes, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other critical infrastructure is still being assessed.

Excellencies,

7. The Government responded from the very first day. Emergency meetings of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority and the Council of Ministers were convened immediately, and all available national resources were mobilised. Search, rescue, evacuation, medical treatment and relief operations began without delay.
8. The Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, together with federal, provincial and local authorities, medical teams, emergency responders, volunteers and local communities, have been working continuously under extremely difficult conditions. More than 21,000 security personnel have been mobilised for search, rescue and relief operations.
9. At the same time, recognising that some aspects of this disaster require highly specialised capabilities, Nepal sought international support in specific areas of expertise. Specialised tunnel rescue-support teams from India, China and the Republic of Korea were deployed and have been working in coordination with the Nepali Army: the Indian tunnel rescue team at Langtang and Chilime; the Chinese tunnel rescue team at Upper Trishuli 3A; and the Korean tunnel rescue team at Upper Trishuli 1. A team from Isreal has also joined, helping us locate bodies downstream.
10. Operations continue under extremely difficult conditions, with tunnels and other areas filled with mud, debris and boulders. Additional equipment and logistical support are arriving to accelerate these operations.
11. Forensic and identification assistance is also being provided. Teams from India, China, Singapore and the Republic of Korea are supporting Nepal Police in the identification of recovered human remains, with additional personnel and equipment continuing to arrive.
12. Nepal has also requested specialised equipment including LiDAR systems, emergency belly bridges, freezers, DNA testing kits, load carriers, human-remains bags, high-capacity drones etc. Some of these items have already been received and mobilised, while further support is on its way. We are truly grateful for this solidarity and support.
13. The safety and welfare of foreign nationals remains a matter of the highest priority for the Government of Nepal. The entire Ministry is working closely with NDRRMA, Nepal Police, the Nepal Tourism Board, our Missions abroad and the families of missing persons. Our Emergency Control Room established at the Ministry and Missions abroad are supporting families with verified information, facilitating identification and, where required, arrangements for repatriation.
14. I would like to thank all Excellencies for providing us with information and details concerning your nationals who are missing. This information is extremely important and will materially assist the search, verification and identification process.
15. Where recovered remains cannot yet be identified or safely preserved, temporary burial is being carried out following established forensic procedures, including the collection of DNA samples. This will enable identification at a later stage and, wherever possible, allow families to receive the remains of their loved ones for final rites. This procedure has already been communicated through diplomatic channels.

Excellencies,

16. Nepal has mobilised all resources at its disposal, but we recognise that the scale and complexity of this disaster require international solidarity. We are deeply grateful to India, China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Singapore, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Latvia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Norway, Isreal, Canada, Sri Lanka, Thailand and New Zealand, as well as the European Union, Asian Development Bank, World Bank, United Nations and other friendly countries and organisations, for their timely solidarity, assistance and support.
17. This solidarity and support have come in many forms, rescue expertise, equipment, logistics, medical and forensic support, and financial assistance, and each has made a difference on the ground.
18. The Government has also taken immediate measures for the relocation of affected communities, restoration of essential services and assistance to affected families. The affected local levels have been declared disaster-affected areas for three months. The Right Honourable Prime Minister has visited the affected areas, and I have also visited some of them. I can say from first-hand observation that the reality on the ground is far more severe than images can convey. This is not an ordinary flood.
19. Preliminary loss and damage assessments covering houses, roads, bridges, hydropower and other critical infrastructure are under way. A Post-Disaster Needs Assessment will establish the full scale of the damage and the requirements for recovery and reconstruction.
20. We anticipate that the resources required for rebuilding will be substantial. As these requirements become clearer, the Government will communicate them through established official channels and will look to our international partners for support in rehabilitation and reconstruction.
21. At the same time, we are committed to ensuring that international assistance is managed with transparency, accountability and clear targeting. Monetary contributions are therefore being channelled through the official Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund. We also urge all partners and members of the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent QR codes, links and accounts seeking to exploit this tragedy.

Excellencies,

22. This disaster carries a deeper significance beyond the immediate emergency. It is another stark reminder of the fragility of the Himalayan region, the particular vulnerabilities of mountain countries, and the growing consequences of a rapidly warming climate.
23. Nepal contributes a negligible share of global emissions, yet our people bear a disproportionate burden of the impacts of a warming Himalayas.
24. Nepal has consistently drawn international attention to this reality, including through the first edition of the Sagarmatha Sambaad and through our international climate commitments.
25. The lesson is clear: climate justice, effective early-warning systems, disaster preparedness and resilient reconstruction must move from commitments on paper to concrete action on the ground. We have already written a letter to the Co-Chairs of the Board of Loss and Damage Fund for immediate support.

Excellencies,

26. Let me conclude by making one important point. While our immediate focus remains firmly on saving lives, search and rescue, relief and recovery, it is equally important that this disaster be viewed in its proper geographic context. The damage, while severe, is strictly localised to specific areas, particularly in parts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading. The rest of Nepal remains safe and fully open.

Airports across the country are operating normally. Major destinations, including Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini, Janakpur, the Annapurna region, the Everest region and Bardiya, among others, remain open and ready to welcome visitors. Tourism is a vital lifeline for our people and communities, particularly at this difficult time.

We therefore greatly appreciate your help in conveying to your citizens and Government that Nepal remains open and ready to receive travellers with the same warmth and hospitality for which our country is known.

Excellencies,

At this profoundly difficult hour, Nepal is grateful for the solidarity and support from our immediate neighbours, friendly countries and wider international community.

We will continue to mobilise every available national resource, work closely with our international partners and keep the diplomatic community regularly informed.

Together, we will rise stronger.

Thank you.