Dharamsala, Aug 2026: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Thursday expressed deep sadness over the devastating floods that struck Nepal’s Rasuwa region and Kyirong in Tibet, causing deaths, widespread destruction and heavy damage to infrastructure.
In a statement, the Nobel Peace Laureate offered prayers for those who lost their lives and conveyed his condolences to families and communities affected by the disaster.
“I am saddened to learn of the devastating floods in the Rasuwa region of Nepal and Kyirong in Tibet, resulting in loss of life and heavy structural damage,” the Dalai Lama said. He expressed sympathy for the bereaved families and others impacted by the tragedy.
The spiritual leader noted that the region had experienced natural calamities in the past and suggested that the repeated disasters could point to deeper underlying causes. He referred to climate change and other possible factors that could be contributing to the increasing vulnerability of the region.
He also called for appropriate follow-up measures to reduce the possibility of similar disasters occurring in the future.
“I hope that appropriate follow-up measures will be taken, wherever possible, to help ensure that such disasters do not recur,” he said.
The devastating flooding originated in the Tibetan region and swept through the transboundary Bhote Koshi River, causing extensive destruction as the powerful currents moved downstream into Nepal. The disaster affected several areas and triggered a major search and rescue operation.
According to Nepal Police, the bodies of 162 people swept away by the flash floods in the Bhote Koshi River had been recovered by Thursday morning. The remains were found along riverbanks in several downstream districts connected to the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems.
The affected districts include Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan, Gorkha, Tanahu, Nawalparasi East and Nawalparasi West. A large number of bodies were recovered in Chitwan, located in Nepal’s southern plains, highlighting the scale of the destruction caused by the floodwaters travelling downstream.
Rescue and recovery teams have continued operations across affected areas as authorities attempt to locate people who remain missing following the disaster.
The Nepal government said hundreds of people, including foreign nationals, were still out of contact. The Prime Minister’s Office said 44 Nepal Army personnel, 28 Nepal Police personnel deployed at various posts and 13 Armed Police Force personnel working in affected areas were among those whose whereabouts remained unknown.
The disaster has also raised concerns over the safety of tourists and other travellers in the region. According to the government, 391 foreign tourists and 93 Nepali tourists remained out of contact following the floods.
Authorities have also confirmed that 133 Indian nationals are missing in the aftermath of the disaster.
The scale of the flooding has prompted continuing rescue, recovery and identification efforts, with authorities working to trace missing people and assess the damage caused to homes, roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
The Dalai Lama’s statement came as rescue operations continued on both sides of the border, with the disaster highlighting the vulnerability of communities living along the transboundary river system to sudden and destructive flooding.
