A devastating flash flood swept through Nepal’s Himalayan border region on Wednesday, leaving at least 165 people dead and hundreds more unaccounted for as rescue teams struggled to reach areas cut off
by mud, debris and destroyed infrastructure.
The disaster began near the Nepal-China border and rapidly travelled downstream, causing widespread destruction across several districts. Roads and bridges were washed away, villages were inundated, and multiple hydropower projects were damaged.
The scale of the disaster remains unclear, with authorities on both sides of the border continuing to search for missing people and verify casualty figures.
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What Triggered The Flash Flood?
The disaster originated around the Lhende River along the Nepal-Tibet border. An initial assessment by Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority indicated that a landslide involving ice and rock caused a sudden surge of debris-laden water.
Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal told Parliament that an earthquake was recorded in the Tibet region at 8:37 am local time, followed by reports of the flash flood three minutes later. This initially raised the possibility that the tremor had triggered a glacial collapse.
However, the US Geological Survey later said the seismic signal recorded around the time was associated with the collapse of glacial rock and ice rather than a conventional earthquake triggering the event.
A horrific scene of severe flooding at the Rasuwagadhi border point on the Nepal-Tibet border.
The strong currents wreaked havoc across the area, leaving 400 pilgrims and 105 Indian tourists also missing in the Nepal floods.#NepalFloods #Nepal #Rasuwa #FlashFlood #Floods pic.twitter.com/dwAX12Gj7l— Ravi Pandey🇮🇳 (@ravipandey2643) August 26, 2026
The resulting mass of mud, rock and water moved into the Bhote Koshi River before entering the Trishuli River at Timure in Rasuwa district.
Also Read: 160 Dead In Nepal-China Border Floods; 133 From India Among Hundreds Missing | Top Updates
Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said the flooding was not caused by rainfall in Rasuwa.
Which Areas Have Been Hit?
Rasuwa and Dhading were among the worst-affected districts, with the flood then travelling downstream into Nuwakot, Chitawan, Gorkha, Tanahu and Nawalparasi East.
The affected areas stretch from roughly 70 km to nearly 200 km from Kathmandu.
The force of the water destroyed homes, vehicles, roads and bridges. Officials said 19 motorable bridges were swept away, while the 42-km road connecting Betrawati in Nuwakot to the Rasuwagadhi border crossing was also damaged.
Video footage from the region showed torrents of muddy water carrying rocks and debris through populated areas. One structure several storeys high was seen being swept away, while other footage showed vehicles being carried through the floodwaters and bridges collapsing within seconds.
“There is devastation everywhere we look,” Tula Bahadur BK, a health worker in Rasuwa, told Reuters. “The settlements next to the river have been completely swept away. Five of my own relatives are missing,” he added.
How Many People Are Dead Or Missing?
Nepal Police put the death toll at 162, while officials have reported hundreds of people missing.
Also Read: Glacial Collapse, Not Earthquake, Caused ‘Catastrophic’ Nepal Flash Floods: US Geological Survey
The figures remain fluid as communication links have been disrupted and rescue teams are still unable to reach several locations.
China’s state broadcaster reported three deaths and 265 missing people on the Chinese side of the border, although officials said those numbers were still being verified.
At least 133 Indian nationals and 37 non-resident Indians are among those reported missing in Nepal, according to officials.
The region is also an important route for the Kailash Manasarovar pilgrimage, which attracts Indian pilgrims during this period. The Isha Foundation said 77 of its members who were present at an immigration centre were missing.
“There has been no official information on the whereabouts of any of the people who were at the immigration office,” said its founder Sadhguru, adding that 495 people have returned safely.
Thirty-seven missing tourists are from Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur, while several other Indian states, including Uttar Pradesh and Kerala, have issued helplines amid concerns over their residents.
Missing foreign nationals are also believed to include tourists from countries such as the US, UK, Malaysia, South Africa, Australia and the Netherlands. South Korea separately said eight of its nationals working at a hydropower project were missing.
What Is Happening With Rescue Operations?
Nepal has deployed the Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police across the affected region.
The Nepal Army sent 12 helicopters for search-and-rescue missions. Six people were evacuated from Syaphrubesi, two from Mailung and four from Dhunche, all in Rasuwa district.
But rescue operations have been hampered by the destruction of roads, communications and electricity infrastructure. Helicopters have also been unable to land in some of the worst-hit areas because of the continuing danger from floodwaters and debris.
The Nepal Army has established an emergency treatment facility at its Military Training Centre No. 1 in Trishuli. An MI-17 helicopter carrying an Emergency Medical Rescue Team was also deployed towards the district hospital in Trishuli.
Around 100 people have been rescued from various locations, officials said, with 30 receiving treatment at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu.
Is The Danger Over?
Authorities have warned that the threat has not completely passed.
Nepal’s Flood Forecasting Division said the lake formed behind a blockage in the river had not been completely drained and warned that the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli areas remained at risk.
Also Read: Nepal Flood: Water Level Drops In Gandak River; Bihar, UP Out Of Immediate Danger?
“According to information received from the Chinese side, since the lake at the river blockage site has not yet been fully drained, the risk remains in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli areas” and asked people to stay away from the rivers and remain in safe places.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority later issued a similar warning.
“Even though the lake has not been fully drained at the site where the river is blocked, the risk persists in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli areas, and people are urged to stay away from the river and remain in safe locations until the next update is issued,” the NDRRMA said in a post on X later in the day.
People in low-lying areas have been moved to safer locations, while residents living near rivers have been told to remain vigilant.
How Has Flood Impacted Nepal’s Power Sector?
The flooding has inflicted significant damage on Nepal’s hydropower infrastructure.
According to the Independent Power Producers’ Association Nepal, eight operational hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 354 MW were damaged. Five additional projects under construction in Rasuwa and Nuwakot were also affected.
Among the damaged operational facilities are the 111-MW Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project, the 78-MW Sanjen Khola Hydropower Project and the 60-MW Upper Trishuli 3A project.
The destruction has also contributed to electricity and communication disruptions in affected areas.
How Are India And China Responding?
India has offered humanitarian assistance to Nepal, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking to his Nepalese counterpart Balendra Shah and assuring him of New Delhi’s support.
The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has been coordinating with Nepalese authorities over the rescue of Indian nationals and issued emergency numbers for assistance: +977 985 131 6807 and +977 970 910 7500.
The Nepal Tourism Board has also activated emergency channels, including the toll-free number 1234, hotline 1144 and Tourist Police number 9851289445.
China has launched rescue operations on its side of the border after the mudslide struck the Gyirong border port. Chinese President Xi Jinping directed authorities to intensify search-and-rescue operations, evacuate people at risk and provide medical assistance.
Around 145 personnel from the People’s Armed Police have been sent to the affected border area.
The United Nations has also said it is mobilising supplies and personnel to assist affected communities, while South Korea is sending a rapid-response team.
What Happens Next?
The immediate priority remains locating people trapped or missing, evacuating vulnerable communities and restoring access to areas cut off by the floods.
Authorities are also monitoring river levels and the blocked section of the waterway for further surges.
With communications still disrupted in parts of the disaster zone and several roads and bridges destroyed, officials have warned that the casualty figures could rise as rescue teams reach more remote locations.
Last year, floods in the Bhote Koshi region killed at least 10 people in Rasuwa.
With inputs from PTI, Reuters, AFP
