Nepal Flash Floods: Search and Rescue Operations Continue

The Government of Nepal has intensified search, rescue, relief and recovery operations following devastating flash floods in the Bhote Koshi River on August 26, 2026, with hundreds of people dead and thousands still unaccounted for.

Nepal’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal said the cause of the flash floods has not yet been fully determined, while the government has mobilised all available resources to respond to the disaster.

According to the latest figures shared by the minister, 626 bodies have been recovered, while approximately 2,400 people remain unaccounted for. More than 4,450 people have been rescued, including over 187 foreign nationals.

Missing Persons Remain a National Priority

Khanal said locating missing people remains the government’s immediate priority, with particular attention being given to both Nepali citizens and foreign nationals affected by the disaster.

The government’s focus includes:

Saving lives and locating missing persons

Conducting search and rescue operations

Providing urgent relief to survivors

Supporting affected Nepali and foreign nationals

Identifying recovered bodies

Verifying information before its public release

Rescue Operations Across Four Districts

Search and rescue teams, security personnel, provincial and local governments, medical teams and emergency responders are working together across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Chitwan districts.

Authorities are also coordinating with families, hospitals, local administrations and other concerned agencies to identify missing nationals and verify casualty information.

Nepal Urges Reliance on Official Information

The government warned that casualty, missing-person and damage figures could change as search and verification operations continue.

Khanal appealed to the public and national and international media to rely on officially verified information and avoid publishing or broadcasting unconfirmed reports.

The government said it will continue mobilising all available resources until search, rescue, relief and recovery efforts are completed.