Kathmandu, Aug 2026: The death toll from a massive flash flood in Nepal’s Bhote Koshi River rose to 95 by Wednesday evening, with extensive loss of life and widespread damage to infrastructure reported across the affected areas, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
The bodies of the victims were recovered from flood-hit areas by 7 pm, although authorities were still working to identify those who died in the disaster. The sudden flooding has triggered a major search and rescue operation, with hundreds of people still unaccounted for.
According to the Nepali government, the flood originated in the Tibetan region of China before sweeping through the transboundary Bhote Koshi River and entering Nepal. The powerful surge of water caused destruction across several areas, particularly near the Nepal-China border.
The disaster has also left a large number of security personnel unaccounted for. The Prime Minister’s Office said 44 Nepal Army personnel, 28 police personnel and 13 Armed Police Force personnel deployed at various locations in the affected region remained out of contact.
The authorities also reported that 391 foreign tourists and 93 Nepali tourists could not be contacted following the flooding. Rescue teams are continuing efforts to establish their whereabouts and assess whether they are stranded in inaccessible areas.
In addition, around 60 employees working at hydropower projects in the affected areas were reported missing or out of contact. Employees of the Rasuwagadhi Customs Office and Immigration Office were also among those unaccounted for after the flood swept through the region.
The disaster has severely damaged transportation infrastructure, further complicating rescue and relief operations. The government said at least 19 motorable bridges and around 40 kilometres of paved roads have been damaged by the floodwaters.
Authorities are continuing to collect information on casualties, missing people and damage to public and private infrastructure. Officials have warned that the scale of destruction could become clearer as rescue teams gain access to areas that remain cut off.
The government said security agencies and other concerned departments were mobilised immediately after the flooding was reported to conduct search, rescue and relief operations.
At around 9 am, authorities placed communities living along the riverbanks on high alert and advised residents to move to safer locations. People were also warned against approaching the river due to the possibility of further surges and dangerous water levels.
The flood has caused particularly severe damage in the Nepal-China border region, including Rasuwa, where government offices, security installations, hydropower facilities and other critical infrastructure have been affected.
With the death toll already at 95 and hundreds of people still missing, authorities are facing a major challenge in reaching isolated areas, locating survivors and providing emergency assistance. Search and rescue operations are expected to continue as officials work to establish the full extent of the disaster.
The government has urged people in vulnerable areas to remain alert and follow instructions issued by security and disaster-management authorities as rescue teams continue their efforts.
