Daily Situation Update on Bhote Koshi River Floods- 06 September 2026

Situation Update

Bhote Koshi River Floods on 26 August 2026

(Updated at 14:00 hrs NPT on 06 September 2026)

The search and rescue operations continue today on the twelfth 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 the Republic of Korea H. E. Mr Cho Hyun, who arrived in Kathmandu yesterday, met with Hon. Foreign Minister Mr Shisir Khanal earlier today. The two Ministers discussed ongoing search, rescue and relief efforts, including the search for missing Korean nationals affected by the floods.

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 mobilised 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 equipments, drones, load carriers and materials received from neighbours, friendly countries and international community are being used for these operations. An 11-member Special Malaysian Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) arrived yesterday, bringing nine high-capacity drones in accordance with the requested specifications.
   
   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, Chilime, Rasuwagadhi and Langtang, among others.
    
2. Latest Figures as Reported by Our Agencies:
    
   1. 13,104 people have been rescued so far, including over 300 foreigners (Two foreign nationals, one Chinese and one American, were rescued yesterday from Upper Trishuli 1 tunnel and Dhunche respectively).
       
   2. Four people have been rescued alive in the last three days (2 Nepali nationals from Upper Trisuli 3A tunnel on 04 September 2026; 1 Chinese national from Upper Trisuli 1 tunnel and 1 Nepali national from a house in Betrawati yesterday).
       
   3. Around 5,000 people still remain missing, including approximately 600 foreigners from 35 countries.
       
   4. 1341 bodies have been recovered from the flood-hit areas. A body was recovered from the tunnel of Upper Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project on 04 September 2026.
       

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 specialised 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 of residence and send it to dnacodis@nepalpolice.gov.np. The relevant countries have already been informed through diplomatic channels.
   
   Forensic teams from India, China, Japan, Singapore and the Republic of 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 prevention, 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 26 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 431 Nepali nationals have returned to Nepal through the Tatopani border point as of yesterday, while 105 Nepali nationals are expected to return to Nepal today through the same border point.
    
5. Miscellaneous Account: The Ministry has directed all Nepali missions abroad to utilise their Miscellaneous Accounts, or open new accounts in accordance with existing rules, to collect relief contributions from the Nepali diaspora, foreign nationals, local organisations and community groups where direct contributions to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund are not feasible or exceed prescribed transaction limits. Missions shall maintain daily records in the prescribed format and transfer the accumulated funds monthly to the designated relief account.
    
6. Travel Advisories: The Ministry, along with its missions abroad, is working in close coordination with all friendly countries to ensure that the travel advisories are confined only to the specific flood-affected areas, while highlighting that the rest of the country remains open and safe for travel and tourism.
    
7. Deployment in the field operation center: Deputy Chief of Protocol Mr Prem Raj Gautam has been deployed at the operation center in the affected area to coordinate and assist in search and rescue of foreign nationals.
    
8. 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 06:00 AM to 10:00 PM. 
   
   Emergency Control Room at the Ministry can be contacted at Emergency Hotline/WhatsApp:      +977-9744441227, +977-9744441228 (6am to 10pm NST); and Email: emergency@mofa.gov.np. The nearest Nepali Mission can also be contacted for details and possible assistance.
    
9. Press Facilitation: The Government remains committed to transparency and facilitating factual, accurate and responsible reporting on the flood response. In view of the risks associated with ongoing rescue operations, unstable terrain, landslide hazards and helicopter operations, foreign journalists wishing to cover the affected areas are required to obtain press accreditation through the Department of Information and Broadcasting’s online service: DOIB Online Press Accreditation (https://ims.doib.gov.np/publicview).

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

06 September 2026.