2026 Nepal floods
Fatal flooding in Nepal
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Severe flooding occurred along the Bhotekoshi River in Nepal on the morning of 26 August 2026, inundating dozens of settlements in the Rasuwa and Nuwakot District, as well as the Gyirong Port area on the China–Nepal border. Officials reported 384 tourists missing.[1] Authorities issued flood warnings for communities along rivers in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, and Chitwan.[2]
| Date | August 26, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Type | Flooding |
| Deaths | 95+ |
| Missing | 380+ |
Property damage | Hydropower facilities, houses, businesses and government offices |
Description
Officials reported dry conditions around Rasuwa district before the Bhotekoshi rose abruptly. The Nepal Army and the Armed Police Force were deployed for search and rescue operations. District officials said the increase originated upstream in Tibet and warned that higher water levels could spread into the Trishuli River.[3]
The Bhotekoshi is joined by the Lende River before flowing past Dhunche, downstream from which it forms part of the Trishuli River system.[4] Nine Armed Police Force personnel stationed at the Timure border outpost were reported missing.[5]
In Nepal, residential areas and infrastructure, including roads and hydropower facilities, sustained extensive damage.[6]
Authorities have not yet established the trigger for the 2026 flood though an initial assessments include an ice avalanche[7] or earthquake[8]. The previous year's Bhote Koshi flood was attributed to drainage from a supraglacial lake in Tibet.[9]
Casualties
At least 95 people were confirmed dead in Nepal according to Bagmati Pradesh Police.[10][11]
The Nepal Tourism Board released a preliminary missing persons figure of 384, including 291 foreigners and 93 Nepalis. Three Americans were among the missing according to the board.[12] South Korea's foreign ministry reported eight citizens missing.[13] At least 105 Indians and 37 overseas Indians were also missing. Many of the Indians were travelling to Kailash Manasarovar Yatra in Tibet and there were 59 pilgrims The board also said tourists from Australia, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and the Netherlands were also missing.[14]
Chinese state media also reported that people were missing on the Tibetan side of the border at Gyirong border crossing.[6]
Damage
In Nuwakot, floodwater entered commercial areas including Betrawati, Trishuli, Dhunge, and Devighat. Local officials said that property damage was extensive while assessments were continuing.[15]
Damage to electricity generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure disrupted supplies in affected areas. The Nepal Electricity Authority said that six major hydropower and transmission facilities had been damaged. These included Rasuwagadhi, Chilime, Trishuli 3A, the Trishuli 3B Hub 220 kV substation, Trishuli Hydropower Station and Devighat Hydropower Station.[16]
Response
The Government of Nepal mobilised the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police, supported by helicopters and medical teams, to conduct search, rescue and relief operations.[17][18]
Chinese president Xi Jinping called for continued efforts to locate missing people and improvements to disaster monitoring and warning systems.[19]