Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Nepal Cabinet Pledges Salaries as Flood Death Toll Reaches 475
A very large flood hit Nepal near the border with Tibet.
Fast-moving water, mud, and rocks damaged communities and infrastructure in Rasuwa and along nearby rivers.
Rescue teams have recovered 475 bodies, while many people remain affected.
Nepal’s prime minister and ministers said they will give one month of their pay to a disaster relief fund.
The government also told its Finance Ministry to design help for families and businesses.
Officials feared another flood after a temporary lake reportedly broke open.
People near the Trishuli area were evacuated again because river levels could rise.
India said it was closely watching the situation and preparing more relief supplies.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah and his ministers will donate one month’s salary to Nepal’s Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.
Nepal’s Finance Ministry was ordered to prepare relief and rehabilitation measures for flood-hit people and businesses.
Rescue authorities have recovered 475 bodies after flash floods devastated Rasuwa and surrounding areas.
A barrier lake near the Chhochen Khola-Purepu Tsangpo confluence reportedly breached, prompting renewed evacuations near the Trishuli area.
India said Nepal’s rescue and relief operation was a highest priority and planned to send additional supplies.
- Who
- Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah, the Council of Ministers, Nepalese rescue authorities, and Indian officials led by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
- What
- Nepal pledged ministers’ one-month salaries to a disaster fund, ordered a flood-relief package, and approved in-principle procurement of 25,000 metric tons of DAP fertiliser from India.
- When
- The cabinet decisions were announced on Friday after flash floods struck on Wednesday; the broader crisis began with a flash flood on August 26.
- Where
- Rasuwa, including Rasuwagadhi, the Bhotekoshi River area, downstream areas, and the Trishuli river region near the Tibet-Nepal border.
- Why
- The measures respond to widespread destruction, deaths, rescue needs, and the risk of additional flooding after a reported barrier-lake breach.
- Reported deaths
- Rescue authorities have recovered 475 bodies.
- Salary contribution
- The prime minister and members of the Council of Ministers will deposit one month’s salary or wages into the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.
- Relief package
- The Finance Ministry was directed to prepare relief and rehabilitation measures for affected individuals and business organisations.
- Flood location
- The worst-affected areas include Rasuwa, Rasuwagadhi, the Bhotekoshi River area, and downstream locations.
- Additional flood risk
- A barrier lake near the Chhochen Khola-Purepu Tsangpo confluence was reportedly breached on Friday.
- India’s response
- India reviewed rescue and relief operations, said the issue was a highest priority, and planned additional relief supplies.
- Fertiliser approval
- Krishi Samagri Company Limited received in-principle approval to purchase 25,000 metric tons of DAP fertiliser from India through government-to-government procurement.
Sources
Nepal Flash Floods: PM Balendra Shah, Ministers To Donate One Month’s Salary To Relief Fund As Rasuwa Battles Widespread Devastation
Nepal PM, ministers pledge month's salary to relief fund
Nepal floods: PM, ministers pledge a month’s salary to relief fund; India calls relief efforts ‘highest priority’
