Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Nepal Flood Toll Rises as Prime Minister Cites Climate Change
A huge flood hit parts of Nepal on August 26.
It started near the border between Nepal and Tibet.
Officials said ice and rocks may have collapsed or fallen in the Himalayan region.
The flood then moved through the Bhotekoshi River and damaged towns and villages.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah said climate change helped cause the disaster.
He also said countries around the world should help manage climate-related dangers.
More than 1,000 people have died, but reports give different numbers for the exact toll.
Thousands of people are still missing, and the government is searching for them and helping survivors.
Flash floods entered Rasuwa through the Bhotekoshi River on August 26 after an ice-and-rock collapse or avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah attributed the disaster to climate change and called managing its effects a global responsibility.
Officials reported 1,050 deaths on Tuesday and 1,127 on Wednesday, while another report described the toll as over 1,100.
Reports gave differing missing-person estimates, ranging from nearly 4,000 to nearly 4,900, including 583 foreigners and 83 security personnel in one account.
The government is conducting search, rescue, relief, rehabilitation, medical treatment, and psychological counselling operations.
- Who
- Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah, government agencies, rescue teams, residents, foreigners, and security personnel were affected or involved.
- What
- Flash floods killed more than 1,000 people and left thousands missing.
- When
- The flooding occurred on August 26; updated death and missing-person figures were reported Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Where
- The disaster affected Rasuwa and towns and villages in northern and central Nepal after flooding entered through the Bhotekoshi River near the Nepal-Tibet border.
- Why
- Shah attributed the disaster to climate change; officials and experts also linked the flooding to a collapse or avalanche of ice and rock, possibly involving glacier melt.
- Flood date
- August 26
- Reported death toll
- 1,050 on Tuesday and 1,127 on Wednesday
- Reported missing total
- Estimates ranged from nearly 4,000 to nearly 4,900
- Missing foreigners
- 583, according to one report
- Missing security personnel
- 83, according to one report
- Main affected area
- Rasuwa and the Bhotekoshi River region in northern Nepal
- Reported Himalayan temperature increase
- 1.8 degrees
