Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Nepal Flash Floods Kill 16, Other Report Says Over 50
A very large flood hit parts of Nepal near the border with Tibet on Wednesday.
The water carried mud and debris through towns and river valleys.
Officials think an earthquake may have caused an avalanche that started the flooding.
The flood struck the Bhote Koshi River area at about 9 a.m.
and later reached the Trishuli River.
Homes, vehicles, roads, bridges and businesses were damaged or swept away.
Rescue workers are having trouble reaching some places because roads and bridges are broken.
Hundreds of people are still missing, including 105 Indian nationals.
Reports disagree about the number of deaths, with one saying at least 16 and another saying more than 50.
A mudslide from Nepal was also reported to have reached Tibet.
Flash floods swept through Nepal’s Bhote Koshi River area near the Nepal-Tibet border on Wednesday.
Nepal’s preliminary assessment linked the flooding to an earthquake-triggered avalanche, while Xinhua reported a mudslide from Nepal reached Tibet.
Death reports differ: one account says at least 16 people died, while another says more than 50 were confirmed dead.
Hundreds remain unaccounted for, including 105 Indian nationals, as damaged roads and bridges hamper rescue efforts.
About 60 houses and two bridges were destroyed or damaged, while six hydropower and electricity facilities were reportedly affected.
- Who
- Residents of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and nearby areas were affected; hundreds remain unaccounted for, including 105 Indian nationals.
- What
- A flash flood carrying water and debris caused deaths, destruction and widespread infrastructure damage.
- When
- Wednesday at around 9 a.m. local time; rescue operations continued afterward.
- Where
- The flooding struck the Bhote Koshi River area in Rasuwa district near the Nepal-Tibet border, then affected the Trishuli River, Nuwakot, Dhading and neighboring areas.
- Why
- Nepal’s preliminary assessment said an earthquake likely triggered an avalanche, while Xinhua described a mudslide originating on Nepal’s side of the Himalayas.
Nepal’s Preliminary Assessment
Reported Alternative Description
Cause of the flooding
Nepal’s Preliminary Assessment
Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said an earthquake in the Himalayan region likely triggered an avalanche, which unleashed flash floods.
Reported Alternative Description
Xinhua described a mudslide originating on the Nepali side of the Himalayas that reached Gyirong County in Tibet.
Reported death toll
Nepal’s Preliminary Assessment
The account citing Nepal News reported that at least 16 people had died, including eight bodies recovered from Nuwakot and Dhading.
Reported Alternative Description
Another report said the overall death toll had risen to more than 50, while noting that casualties could increase.
Reported direction of the surge
Nepal’s Preliminary Assessment
Nepalese authorities said the sudden surge appeared to come from the direction of the Chinese side before rushing downstream.
Reported Alternative Description
Xinhua’s description identified the mudslide as originating on the Nepali side, creating a difference in reported descriptions of the source.
- Reported death toll
- One report said at least 16; another said more than 50 had been confirmed dead.
- People unaccounted for
- Hundreds, including 105 Indian nationals.
- Reported start time
- Around 9 a.m. local time on Wednesday.
- Houses swept away
- About 60 near Trishuli Bazaar in Nuwakot.
- Bridges affected
- Two bridges over the Trishuli River were damaged or destroyed.
- Hydropower facilities affected
- Six major facilities, including Rasuwagadhi, Chilime, Trishuli 3A and Devighat.
- Hardest-hit areas
- Timure and Syafrubesi in Rasuwa district.
