Daily Situation Update on Bhote Koshi River Floods- 05 September 2026

Situation Update

Bhote Koshi River Floods on 26 August 2026

(Updated at 14:00 hrs NST on 05 September 2026)

The search and rescue operations continue today on the Eleventh day of the severe Bhote Koshi River Floods on 26 August 2026 that resulted in huge loss of lives, widespread displacement and extensive damage to houses, buildings, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other critical infrastructure in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and other districts along the course of the river in Nepal.

The Ministry continues close coordination both domestically and with our neighbours and international partners for the effective search, rescue and relief operations. The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Mr Balendra Shah and the Hon. Foreign Minister Mr Shisir Khanal have received telephone calls from their respective counterparts and other dignitaries from around the world. They have expressed sympathies and solidarity as well as support to Nepal and Nepali people at this difficult time. Similarly, Foreign Minister of Republic of Korea H. E. Mr. Cho Hyun is arriving in Kathmandu this evening.

1. Search and Rescue: The Government is utilising all available means and resources at its disposal for search, rescue and relief operations. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force are fully mobilized alongside disaster-management authorities, provincial and local bodies and other relevant agencies.

Tunnel Rescue Teams: Tunnel rescue teams from India, China and Republic of Korea continue to work 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 for these operations. A 15-member Disaster Assistance and Response Team (DART) from Australia arrived yesterday, while an 11-member Special Malaysian Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) from Malaysia arrived this morning.

Additional equipment and technical personnel are being deployed to continue search and rescue operations at the affected hydropower projects, including Upper Trishuli 1, Upper Trishuli 3A, Upper Trishuli 3B, U216 Haku, Chilime and Langtang, among others.

2. Latest Figures as Reported by Our Agencies:
   1. 13,098 people have been rescued so far, including over 300 foreigners (Two foreign nationals, one Chinese and one American, were rescued yesterday from Dhunche and Koloni respectively).
   2. Four people have been rescued alive so far (2 Nepali nationals from Upper Trisuli 3A tunnel yesterday; 1 Chinese national from Upper Trisuli 1 tunnel and 1 Nepali national from a house in Betrawati today). A body was also recovered from Upper Trisuli 3A yesterday.
   3. Around 5,000 people still remain missing, including approximately 600 foreigners from 35 countries.
   4. 1344 bodies have been recovered from the areas. A body has been recovered from the tunnel of Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project yesterday

These figures are constantly updated as search and verification continue.

3. Efforts to Restore Connectivity: The authorities are actively working on restoring road, electricity and telecommunication connectivity to the affected areas and on ensuring timely delivery of relief materials to the affected people. Additional supplies and assistance, including those coming from international community, partners and individuals are being mobilised effectively.

The Nepali Army, together with a team of engineers, is working to restore the Galchhi–Trishuli Road by constructing a temporary bridge over the Tadi River. In addition, two cable pulleys (tuen) have been made operational, one at Trishuli Indrenighat and the other at Devighat.

4. Support Received from International Community: Nepal has mobilised all resources at its disposal, but we recognise that the scale and complexity of this disaster require continued international solidarity and support. So far we have received generous support from our immediate neighbours, friendly countries, international organisations as well as philanthropists, including India, China, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Japan, the United States, Qatar, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Australia, Germany, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Myanmar, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Norway, Israel, Canada, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, New Zealand, Denmark, Switzerland, Ireland, Czech Republic as well as the European Union, Asian Development Bank, World Bank, United Nations and its specialized agencies, among others.

We are deeply grateful for their timely solidarity and support.

5. RDNA and PDNA: A preliminary assessment conducted under the Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) indicates that approximately 7,570 houses affecting around 32,933 people, and 48 government offices have been affected. Similarly, 55 kilometers of roads, 37 motorable bridges, and 68 suspension bridges have been damaged. Likewise, approximately 1,806 hectares of agricultural land, 13 hydropower projects, one solar power plant and two transmission lines have been also damaged. The assessment further indicates that 783 MW of hydropower generation capacity has been affected.

Given the scale and extent of the damage caused by this disaster, a comprehensive Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) is being simultaneously undertaken to determine the full extent of loss and damage and the costs for rebuilding and reconstruction.

Contributions for these efforts can be made through the link: https://pmdrf.nchl.com.np/.

6. DNA Identification Process: Authorities have begun the temporary burial of recovered bodies, following necessary forensic procedures, to facilitate subsequent identification and the return of mortal remains to families for final rites. Immediate family members of those missing are requested to contact Nepal Police Hospital, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, or the nearest District Police Office in Nepal or get their DNA profiles prepared in their country residence and send it to dnacodis@nepalpolice.gov.np. The relevant countries have already been informed through diplomatic channels.

Forensic teams from India, China, Singapore and South Korea have joined Nepal Police and other relevant authorities to accelerate DNA collection, analysis and identification efforts of the mortal remains.

7. Ministry’s Efforts:

1. Diplomatic Briefing: The Ministry has organised briefings for the diplomatic corps alongside press briefings for domestic and international media outlets to provide updates on the ongoing search, rescue and relief operations, as well as on foreign assistance.
2. Further Items Requested to International Community: The Ministry has further requested for high capacity drones, LiDAR, bailey bridges, items for epidemic preventions, DNA testing kits, bags for human remains, flood rescue truck, mobile air traffic control system, ground penetrating radar, high accuracy laser meter, broadband seismometers, high-capacity surge pump, laboratory freezers, mud rescue complete suit, inflatable walkway, mud lance, rescue sled, among others.
3. Flight Clearance: So far, the Ministry has also coordinated with the concerned countries and agencies, as well as the relevant authorities of the Government of Nepal, to facilitate the clearance of 24 flights carrying flood relief assistance and rescue teams from friendly countries and international organisations.
4. Nepali Nationals in China Side: The Ministry and our Missions in China are closely coordinating with the Chinese authorities to facilitate the safe return of Nepali nationals affected by the flood who wish to return to Nepal. A total of 155 Nepali nationals returned to Nepal yesterday through the Tatopani border point, while 127 Nepali nationals are expected to return to Nepal today through the same border point.
5. Emergency Control Room: The Ministry has also established an Emergency Control Room to coordinate closely with relevant agencies, our diplomatic missions and the families of missing foreign nationals with dedicated hotlines operating from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. 

Emergency Control Room at the Ministry can be contacted at Emergency Hotline/WhatsApp:      +977-9744441227, +977-9744441228 (7am to 10pm NST); and Email: emergency@mofa.gov.np. The nearest Nepali Mission can also be contacted for details and possible assistance.

Updated information will continue to be made available through our website and through the relevant government agencies, particularly NDRRMA, Department of Tourism, and Nepal Tourism Board.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Singhadurbar, Kathmandu

5 September 2026