Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Nepal Flood Devastation Revealed in Exclusive Aerial Visuals
A very large flood hit Nepal on August 26.
It began after a glacial avalanche and landslide fell into a river.
The rushing water then traveled through several river valleys.
It destroyed homes, businesses, roads, bridges, and power plants.
More than 1,000 people had been reported dead by September 1.
Many other people were still missing or trapped.
Rescue workers from Nepal, India, and China searched through the mud and rubble.
Families who survived often lost everything they owned.
Nepal’s government said temporary shelter and rebuilding would be important next steps.
A catastrophic flood on August 26 devastated settlements in Nepal’s Trishuli River valley, killing more than 1,000 people by September 1.
A glacial avalanche-cum-landslide entered the Lhende Khola and triggered a flood that erased the Gyirong border port between Nepal and Tibet, China.
Aerial footage showed gorges covered by rocks, debris, mud, and bodies, while rescue teams continued searching for survivors and remains.
At least 12 power-generation facilities were directly affected, removing nearly 430 megawatts of capacity and reducing Nepal’s electricity-export surplus.
Survivors such as restaurant owner Deepak Tamang lost their homes and livelihoods as officials prioritized temporary shelters, cash-for-work programs, and reconstruction.
- Who
- Residents of Nepal’s Trishuli River valley, rescue workers from Nepal, India, and China, and government officials including Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle were involved.
- What
- A catastrophic flash flood destroyed settlements, infrastructure, homes, businesses, and power-generation facilities, causing more than 1,000 deaths by September 1.
- When
- The flood struck on August 26; NDTV filmed the area on or around September 1.
- Where
- The devastation centered on the Trishuli River valley, including the Gyirong border port area and Devighat in Nuwakot district, Nepal.
- Why
- A glacial avalanche-cum-landslide fell into the Lhende Khola, triggering a flood that moved through the Lhende Khola, Bhote Koshi, and Trishuli river systems.
- Flood date
- August 26
- Reported deaths
- More than 1,000 as of September 1
- Mainly affected area
- The Trishuli River valley in Nepal
- Power facilities affected
- At least 12
- Lost generating capacity
- Nearly 430 megawatts
- People still at risk
- Hundreds were feared trapped
- Government response
- Temporary shelter, temporary cash-for-work programs, and reconstruction