Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Nepal Flash Flood Kills Eight, Damages Roads and Power Projects
A very large flash flood hit northern Nepal near the Tibet border.
It badly affected the towns of Timure and Syapru Besi.
Water washed away villages, vehicles, roads and bridges.
It also damaged power projects and disrupted electricity.
Reuters reported that eight people died, although earlier reports said officials did not yet know the total casualties.
China also reported deaths and missing people after a related mudslide near the border.
Rescue teams, soldiers, police and helicopters were sent to help.
People living near the river were told to move to higher and safer places.
Officials still did not know exactly what caused the flood.
A massive flash flood struck Nepal’s Rasuwa district near Tibet, severely affecting Timure and Syapru Besi.
Reuters reported eight deaths, while earlier official accounts said casualty and property-loss estimates were unavailable.
The Bhote Koshi River flood washed away villages, vehicles and goods and damaged roads, bridges and hydropower projects.
Nepal deployed police, military personnel, rescue teams and helicopters, though high water prevented helicopters from landing in affected areas.
Across the border, China reported major casualties and missing people after a mudslide affected Gyirong port and disrupted roads, communications and power.
- Who
- Residents of Rasuwa and downstream communities were affected; Nepalese authorities, rescue teams, police and military personnel responded. China also reported casualties and missing people in Gyirong.
- What
- A flash flood washed away villages and damaged roads, bridges, vehicles, goods and hydropower projects; Reuters reported eight deaths.
- When
- Wednesday, August 26; the flood was reported at about 9 a.m. local time.
- Where
- Timure and Syapru Besi in Nepal’s Rasuwa district, along the Bhote Koshi River near Tibet; a mudslide also affected China’s Gyirong port.
- Why
- The immediate cause was unclear. Nepal’s hydrology department said the flooding was not caused by rainfall in Rasuwa.
- Affected district
- Rasuwa, Nepal, a mountainous district with about 50,000 residents
- Worst-affected areas
- Timure and Syapru Besi
- River
- The Bhote Koshi River originates in Tibet and flows into Nepal’s Trishuli River
- Reported deaths
- Reuters reported eight deaths in Nepal; earlier reports said no immediate casualty estimate was available
- Infrastructure damage
- Villages, vehicles, goods, roads, bridges and hydropower projects were washed away or damaged
- Electricity impact
- Nepal’s Energy Ministry said 430 megawatts of electricity supplies were affected, mostly from hydropower projects
- Response
- Nepal mobilized the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police, rescue teams and helicopters
- Border impact
- China reported major casualties and missing people after a mudslide affected Gyirong port, disrupting roads, communications and power
Sources
Nepal flash flood washes away villages, damages roads, power projects
Nepal flash flood kills eight; damaging roads, power projects
Nepal flash floods: Villages washed away, hydropower projects damaged near Tibet border
Flash Floods Wash Away Villages In Nepal, Many Feared Dead
