𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐘 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓 | 𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐔𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓 - 𝟐𝟕 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Rasuwa–Bhotekoshi Flood Disaster-Situation Update

DATE (Aug 26–27, 2026)

SOURCE AREA Bhotekoshi–Trishuli–Narayani River System

STATUS ACTIVE – Search, Rescue & Recovery; New Flood-Risk Alert

LAST UPDATE 27 August 2026

⚠ NEW HAZARD - BHOTEKOSHI RE-FLOOD RISK Chinese satellite imagery and preliminary analysis show a lake has formed where the Bhotekoshi River was blocked by Wednesday's flood, and it is growing in size. The Flood Forecasting Division warns the blockage could breach, triggering renewed major flooding downstream. Authorities are urging the public to stay away from riverbanks and other high-risk areas along the Bhotekoshi and downstream rivers until further notice.

Executive Summary

The Rasuwa–Bhotekoshi–Trishuli–Narayani flood disaster has continued to escalate through Thursday afternoon and evening. Nepal Police now confirm 270 bodies recovered nationwide, up sharply from the 162 reported this morning, with identification still pending for many victims; a photo-based list of unidentified bodies, searchable via a QR code, has been published to assist families. Rescue operations remain intensive: the Nepal Army airlifted 602 people (including 50 foreign nationals) from the Bhotekoshi-affected area by 3:30 PM today alone, with a further 200 rescued by road, and more than 4,200 troops, drones, and trained dogs deployed; over 7,400 security personnel are engaged in the response overall.

A serious new hazard has emerged: satellite imagery from China shows a growing lake at the site of Wednesday's river blockage on the Bhotekoshi, with officials warning of renewed downstream flooding if it breaches and urging continued avoidance of riverbanks pending further notice. Missing-persons reports continue to arrive from across the country including Khotang, Dhading, Baitadi, Rolpa, Humla, Salyan, Mugu, Makwanpur and Madhesh Province while Chinese officials report roughly 100 Chinese nationals missing on the Nepal side and separately confirm 3 deaths and 558 missing in Tibet's Kerung county, where the People's Liberation Army has been mobilized. Missing tourists nationwide now number 644.

The government's response continues to scale up: a Thursday all-party meeting adopted a 10-point resolution on relief and reconstruction, the Cabinet is moving to raise field allowances for responding security personnel, Nepal Telecom has extended free service in affected areas by three more days, and power has been restored in Bidur, Battar and Trishuli Bazaar via alternative supply arrangements. Financial contributions continue to arrive - from Global IME Bank (NPR 5 crore), Kumari Bank (NPR 3.39 crore plus drones and equipment), Ncell (NPR 1 crore) and businessman Bikram Pandey (NPR 1 crore), among others - alongside a newly launched international donor gateway; police have separately issued a public alert over fraudulent fundraising in the name of the PM Disaster Relief Fund. A special weather bulletin warns of further moderate-to-heavy rain in Gosaikunda and other religious/trekking areas this Friday–Saturday (Janai Purnima), adding risk in already-devastated terrain.

 Key Points

•     270 confirmed deaths nationwide (Nepal Police), up from 162 this morning; full updated district breakdown pending. Hospitals in Kathmandu report 26 (Teaching Hospital), 20 (Trauma Center) and 2 (Bir Hospital) still under treatment, with 14 already discharged.

•     New flood-risk alert: a growing lake has formed at the Bhotekoshi blockage site per satellite imagery; authorities warn of a possible second major flood downstream and urge continued avoidance of riverbanks.

•     602 airlifted, 200 rescued by road today alone (as of 3:30 PM); 4,200+ troops, drones and trained dogs deployed by the Nepal Army; 7,400+ security personnel engaged overall across Police, Army and APF.

•     644 tourists missing nationwide - 178 Indian, 127 Nepali, 65 American, 53 Ukrainian, remainder other nationalities (Nepal Tourism Board).

•     ~100 Chinese nationals missing on the Nepal side (Chinese Foreign Ministry); separately, 3 dead and 558 missing in Tibet's Kerung county, where the PLA has been mobilized.

•     New missing-persons reports from Khotang (8), Dhading (8 teachers), Baitadi (8 police), Rolpa (30+, incl. a family of 4), Humla (12), Mugu (2), Salyan (49, many still unreachable), Madhesh Province (30), Makwanpur (40, being verified), and NIMB Bank (7 staff).

•     Nepal Police have published a photo-based list of unidentified bodies with a QR-code lookup tool via Facebook to help families with identification.

•     All-party meeting adopts a 10-point resolution on de-politicized relief, a single-window donation system, scientific study of glacial lakes, disaster diplomacy, and a high-level all-party mechanism (full list below).

•     Government moving to raise field allowance and daily meal expenses for Police, Armed Police and Army personnel deployed to disaster response.

•     87 telecom towers (60 Nepal Telecom, 27 Ncell) remain down across Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading; Nepal Telecom extends free voice/data/SMS for three more days.

•     Power restored in Bidur, Battar and Trishuli Bazaar (Nuwakot) via alternative transmission arrangements; road-repair work has begun from Bidur.

•     New contributions to the PM Disaster Relief Fund: Global IME Bank (NPR 5 crore), Kumari Bank (NPR 3.39 crore plus drones/equipment), Ncell (NPR 1 crore), Bikram Pandey (NPR 1 crore); a new international donor gateway has opened for card/QR contributions.

•     Nepal Police issue a public scam alert over fraudulent solicitations invoking the 'PM Disaster Relief Fund' name; separately, a cooperative that mistakenly transferred NPR 10.01 lakh instead of an intended NPR 1.01 lakh donation has asked for the excess to be refunded.

•     Two people arrested in Chitwan after a viral video showed them removing jewelry from a flood-swept body.

•     An unidentified woman, approximately 75, rescued from a Devghat old-age home, is under treatment at Bir Hospital; she is unable to communicate and her identity remains unknown.

•     Special weather bulletin warns of moderate-to-heavy rain in Gosaikunda and other pilgrimage/trekking areas this Friday–Saturday (Janai Purnima), adding further risk.

•     Bhutan's King and Queen have expressed condolences; India has dispatched a second relief flight (37.5 tonnes of aid); PM Balen made a further site visit to flood-hit Bidur, Nuwakot today.

Casualties & Injured - Updated

Deaths

•     Nationwide: 270 bodies recovered (Nepal Police), up from 162 reported this morning. A full reconciled district-by-district breakdown has not yet been republished; the last full breakdown (at the 162 mark) showed Chitwan highest at 64. One district-level update since then: Gorkha's district administration confirms 23 bodies recovered locally (up from 20), from Gandaki and Shahid Lakhan rural municipalities along the Trishuli riverbank — some remains recovered are body parts only, and identification is still largely outstanding.

•     Chitwan continues to hold the highest recovered toll, with bodies (some intact, some body parts) recovered from the Trishuli and Narayani riverbanks and held at Bharatpur Hospital morgue; a separate batch of 5 bodies was recovered further downstream in West Nawalparasi (Susta Rural Municipality-4), and 9 bodies recovered in Tanahun were transported to Pokhara for management and examination.

Injured - Hospital Treatment (Kathmandu)

•     TU Teaching Hospital: 26 under treatment (1 death recorded earlier in the day).

•     National Trauma Center: 20 under treatment.

•     Bir Hospital: 2 under treatment; hospital remains on full alert with ICU, ventilators, blood and triage systems readied.

•     14 patients already discharged after treatment; additional injured continue to arrive from the field.

•     Bagmati Province Government has arranged free treatment for flood-injured at all provincial hospitals in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and other affected districts.

Missing Persons - By Region

The following reflects the latest region-by-region reports received today; figures are preliminary, may overlap with nationwide totals above, and are expected to change as verification continues.

Region / Group	No.	Notes
Missing tourists (nationwide)	644	178 Indian, 127 Nepali, 65 American, 53 Ukrainian, remainder other nationalities (Nepal Tourism Board)
Security personnel	85	44 Army + 28 Police + 13 APF, as of 09:15 AM; includes 8 Nepal Police/APF from Baitadi
Khotang district	8	3 from Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality, 4 from Aiselukharka Rural Municipality
Dhading (teachers)	8	3 serving + 5 former teachers who had gone to Gosaikunda; missing since Wednesday
Rolpa district	30+	Includes one family of 4 (parents + 2 children) who ran a business in Timure market
Humla district	12	8 men and 2 women confirmed, plus children per district police; working in Rasuwa for employment
Salyan district	49	Full list of Salyan residents working in Rasuwa published; many still unreachable, incl. 13 from Kapurkot
Mugu district	2	Residents of Chhayanath Rara Municipality-10, working in Rasuwa
Madhesh Province	30	16 Parsa, 3 Bara, 2 Rautahat, 6 Sarlahi, 2 Saptari — residents/workers in Rasuwa
Makwanpur district	40	Status being verified by District Administration Office; includes pilgrims to Gosaikunda and others
NIMB Bank staff	7	5 from Syafrubesi branch, 1 Timure branch, 1 Mailung extension counter
Gorkha (local residents)	~49	30+ Palungtar, 6 Shahid Lakhan, 6 Barpak Sulikot, 3 Dharche, 3 Arughat, 1 Ajirkot (separate from Gorkha's confirmed death count)
Chinese nationals (Nepal side)	~100	Per Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian; embassy coordinating with Nepali authorities

New Hazard: Bhotekoshi Re-Flood Risk

•     Satellite imagery from China and preliminary analysis indicate a lake has formed at the site where the Bhotekoshi River was blocked during Wednesday's flood; the lake is reported to be growing in size.

•     The Flood Forecasting Division warns the blockage could breach, which would trigger a renewed major flood in the lower Bhotekoshi basin.

•     The public is urged to stay away from riverbanks and other high-risk areas and to maintain heightened vigilance until further notice is issued.

•     Separately, on the China side of the border, the Ministry of Water Resources reports a large lake has formed at the confluence of the Chochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers, which feed into the Bhotekoshi–Trishuli system after entering Nepal; as of Thursday morning it held roughly 2 million cubic meters of water, which has begun draining.

•     All political parties have drawn government attention to the need for immediate high-level diplomatic engagement with China on glacial-lake risk assessment and mitigation; this is reflected in the all-party resolution below.

Rescue Operations - Update

•     Today alone (as of ~3:30 PM): 602 people airlifted (including 50 foreign nationals) from Bhotekoshi-affected areas by the Nepal Army, plus 200 rescued by road.

•     338 people treated by the Nepal Army medical team stationed in Trishuli.

•     Over 4,200 Nepal Army personnel deployed for search and rescue, supported by drones and trained search dogs.

•     Cumulative totals reported through the day (rising progressively as operations continued): 125 airlifted from Timure by mid-morning; 336 airlifted (incl. 45 foreigners from 6 countries) from Timure, Dhunche and Mailung by early afternoon; these are superseded by the 602 figure reported this evening.

•     Total security personnel mobilized: 7,415 as of midday — 3,318 Nepal Police, 2,355 Nepal Army, 1,742 Armed Police Force (NDRRMA); Nepal Police separately reports 8,050 of its own personnel mobilized in a later update, reflecting continued surge deployment. 239 helicopter sorties had been flown by midday (211 Army, 28 private); six additional SSP-led police teams were deployed to affected districts this afternoon.

•     A Nepal Army team reached the flood-damaged Upper Trishuli-3A hydropower project by helicopter to rescue stranded staff, after two landing attempts had failed the previous day due to weather.

•     The Robotics Association of Nepal has called on drone pilots to assemble and form a Drone Rapid Response Team to accelerate search-and-survey work.

•     Private helicopters continue to be required to operate only under government coordination for rescue flights; the airline operators' association states standard fares have been maintained despite high demand, with no evidence of overcharging.

Infrastructure & Services

Power & Energy

•     Power restored in Bidur, Battar and Trishuli Bazaar (Nuwakot) via alternative arrangements after the Nepal Electricity Authority re-routed the Balaju–Trishuli and Chapali–Devighat 66kV lines through an 11kV charge.

•     12 hydropower/solar plants remain damaged with 431.1 MW off the national grid; the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation is deploying alternative power, including 500 solar power banks, to Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading.

Telecommunications

•     87 towers remain non-functional across Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading - 60 belonging to Nepal Telecom and 27 to Ncell.

•     Nepal Telecom has extended free voice calls, data and SMS in and around affected areas for three additional days (through Bhadra 14 / Aug 30), on top of the two free days already provided.

•     The Ministry of Education and Sports is dispatching generator- and solar-powered portable mobile towers to strengthen communications in affected areas.

Roads

•     Road-repair work has begun from Bidur, Nuwakot, with restoration described as underway by the Prime Minister's Office.

•     The Baireni–Galaudi section (13 km) of the Prithvi Highway remains affected by flood debris; clearance work continues, with reopening expected in stages.

•     Customs has asked freight vehicles and traders to use the Korala checkpoint (Mustang) as an alternative while Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani crossings remain affected; one previously missing customs staff member (Sagun Moktan) has since made contact.

Financial & Humanitarian Response

•     Global IME Bank: NPR 5 crore pledged to the PM Disaster Relief Fund for rescue, relief and rehabilitation.

•     Kumari Bank: NPR 3.39 crore in total support, including NPR 3 crore to the PM Disaster Relief Fund plus 5 AI-enabled drones, 3 portable generators and 100 power banks provided directly to the Nepal Army for search, rescue and monitoring.

•     Ncell: NPR 1 crore pledged to the PM Disaster Relief Fund.

•     Bikram Pandey (RPP leader, Chairman of Kalika Construction): NPR 1 crore pledged to the PM Disaster Relief Fund.

•     Previously reported and still current: Non-Resident Nepali Association (NPR 5 crore, distribution to 500 families in Nuwakot underway) and IFRC (NPR 18.96 crore / approx. US$1.2 million).

•     A new international online donor gateway has been launched, enabling card- and QR-based contributions from foreign donors.

•     Scam alert: Nepal Police warn that fraudsters are soliciting donations to personal bank accounts and e-wallets using the names 'PM Disaster Relief Fund' and 'PM Relief Fund.' The public is directed to donate only via the official government website (opmcm.gov.np) or verified official social media pages, and to report suspected scams to the nearest police office or the Cyber Bureau.

•     Accidental transfer: a cooperative intending to donate NPR 1.01 lakh mistakenly transferred NPR 10.01 lakh to the PM Disaster Relief Fund; it has requested the excess be returned and confirmed it will send its intended donation separately.

•     Nepal Bankers' Association: banking services will continue in flood-affected areas through alternative arrangements where branches are disrupted.

•     The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry has appealed to the private sector to support government rescue and relief efforts and to keep the supply of essential goods stable and prices steady.

•     Free food distribution to stranded travelers continues along the Prithvi Highway, including at Gajuri, led by local volunteers.

•     Kathmandu District Administration Office is collecting food, clothing, utensils and other household relief items for distribution to flood victims in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading via a single-window system; those wishing to contribute cash are asked to route it only through the PM Disaster Relief Fund.

Political & Government Response

All-Party 10-Point Resolution

An all-party meeting convened by RSP Chair Rabi Lamichhane at Singha Durbar adopted a 10-point common resolution on the disaster response:

•     1. De-politicization of relief work

•     2. A single-window (one-door) system for financial assistance

•     3. Responsible use of social media

•     4. Scientific study of glacial lakes

•     5. Disaster diplomacy and early-warning systems

•     6. National unity and inclusive rescue

•     7. Resilient reconstruction with zero tolerance for negligence

•     8. Raising the issue of climate justice internationally

•     9. An appeal for international cooperation

•     10. Formation of a high-level all-party mechanism

Parties also proposed a dedicated all-party/parliamentary committee to oversee relief, rescue and reconstruction; the responsibility for treatment, care and psychosocial counselling of the injured was agreed to rest fully with the state.

Other Government & Political Developments

•     Cabinet-level move underway to raise field allowance and daily meal expenses for Police, Armed Police Force and Nepal Army personnel deployed to disaster response, following an NDRRMA Executive Committee decision; the relevant security agencies will submit proposals for the concerned ministry to finalize.

•     Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle states there is no shortage of resources for disaster management, with both domestic and external budget commitments secured for immediate rescue/relief and longer-term reconstruction, drawing on lessons from the 2015 earthquake recovery.

•     NCP-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has urged the Prime Minister to take a more direct leadership role in search, rescue, relief and reconstruction, with stronger inter-party coordination.

•     PM Balen Shah conducted a further on-site inspection of flood-hit Bidur, Nuwakot today, meeting injured residents and local officials before returning to Kathmandu; Infrastructure Minister Sunil Lamsal has remained in Nuwakot, coordinating with the Nepal Army on rescue progress.

•     The government has asked employees of flood-affected districts and local governments not to leave their duty stations, and has directed any who are away to return immediately, pending further notice.

•     Flood damage assessment will be collected and updated through local governments, coordinated by the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration; local governments will mobilize disaster-management-fund budgets, while the Department of Survey will map land damage and disaster-affected areas.

•     The Chinese Embassy has rejected allegations that China failed to provide timely advance information about the flood/landslide, calling such claims completely misleading; separately, China's Ambassador to Nepal stated preliminary information points to an earthquake on the Tibetan side as the trigger for the landslide.

•     Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema have expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life in Nepal and China, offering condolences to affected families and communities and wishing strength to all those affected.

•     India's Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar announced a second relief flight carrying 37.5 tonnes of humanitarian aid, medicine and food, reaffirming India's continued support for Nepal's relief and rescue efforts.

•     Former PM Sushila Karki has expressed condolences for the loss of life and called on citizens to contribute generously to relief efforts.

Weather Advisory

•     Janai Purnima special bulletin: the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology's Weather Forecasting Division warns of moderate-to-heavy rainfall this Friday and Saturday across major religious and tourist areas, including Gosaikunda — precisely the kind of terrain already destabilized by this week's flooding and landslides, adding further risk to search-and-rescue operations and to pilgrims/trekkers in the area.

Unconfirmed / Pending Information

•     Final, fully reconciled nationwide death toll and a complete updated district-by-district breakdown for the 270 figure - expected to rise further as search operations continue.

•     Full identification of all recovered bodies, including confirmation on missing Japanese, Chinese and other foreign nationals.

•     Outcome for the 85 still-unaccounted-for security personnel, and for missing individuals from Khotang, Dhading, Rolpa, Humla, Salyan, Mugu, Madhesh Province and Makwanpur.

•     Whether the newly formed lake at the Bhotekoshi blockage site will breach, and the scale of any resulting downstream flood.

•     Identity of the unidentified woman (approx. 75) rescued from the Devghat old-age home and now at Bir Hospital.

•     Full economic cost assessment across hydropower, infrastructure, education and other sectors.

Source and Reference Note: This report is a preliminary situation summary compiled from available information and live updates from Nepal's national online media, the Government of Nepal websites and official statements, NDRRMA reports, Nepal Police official updates, Ratopati, Setopati, Kantipur, CNN, and other credible online sources and field-level information. The information reflects the situation at the time of compilation and is subject to change as the situation continues to evolve. All figures, incidents, and other reported information should be treated as preliminary sources as they become available online.

Report updated by: Tek Singh Bhat

Contact: 9848776633