Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Nepal Expands Flash Flood Rescue as Hundreds Remain Missing
Flash floods hit northern Nepal on August 26 and destroyed homes, roads and bridges.
At least 165 people in Nepal and Tibet have died, and many others are missing.
Some missing people are foreign tourists and travelers.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah said the government would rescue people and provide food, medicine and shelter.
Soldiers, police and other emergency workers are searching for people and moving residents to safer places.
Helicopters have rescued many people, but reports gave different numbers for those rescued.
Hospitals in Kathmandu reserved 100 beds for people hurt in the floods.
India offered to help, and officials asked people to stay calm and follow official information.
Flash floods that struck northern Nepal on August 26 killed at least 165 people in Nepal and Tibet, while hundreds remain missing.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah called the disaster unprecedented and said the state would provide rescue, medical care, food and shelter.
Nepal Army helicopters rescued more than 250 people according to one report, while Shah separately said 116 people were rescued from Timure, including 21 Indian nationals and seven people from a tunnel.
The Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police were mobilised, with helicopters, ambulances, medical teams, supplies and 100 hospital beds placed on standby.
Officials said about 300 Indian nationals and roughly 500 foreign nationals were out of contact, while two India-Nepal Friendship buses carrying 25 to 30 passengers each were stranded but safe.
- Who
- Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Nepalese security forces, emergency workers, affected residents, Indian nationals and other foreign travelers.
- What
- Nepal launched rescue and relief operations after flash floods killed at least 165 people and left hundreds missing.
- When
- The floods struck on August 26; rescue operations continued afterward, including helicopter flights beginning at 6:30 a.m. on the reported day.
- Where
- Rasuwa district, Timure, Nuwakot and downstream areas of northern Nepal; deaths were also reported in Tibet, with medical capacity reserved in Kathmandu.
- Why
- The floods swept away homes, bridges and roads, stranded travelers and disrupted communications and access to affected communities.
- Prime minister
- Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen Shah
- Flood date
- August 26
- Reported deaths
- At least 165 people in Nepal and Tibet
- Rescue figures
- More than 250 people were reportedly rescued by Nepal Army helicopters; a separate update recorded 116 rescues from Timure and seven from a tunnel
- Missing foreign nationals
- At least 300 Indian nationals and approximately 500 foreign nationals were reported missing or out of contact
- Hospital capacity
- 100 beds reserved at Bir Hospital and the National Trauma Center in Kathmandu
- International assistance
- India offered humanitarian support to Nepal
