Deadly Bhotekoshi flash flood sweeps through northern Nepal

Flood

Severity score69 / 100 · High

How the score is calculated

The score starts at 8. It adds points from recorded affected, deaths, displaced and casualty counts, plus terms found in the story title, event type or status. For each count, only its highest matching band is used.

Affected people: 1–999: +5 · 1,000–9,999: +12 · 10,000–99,999: +20 · 100,000–999,999: +28 · 1 million+: +35
Deaths: 1–9: +8 · 10–99: +14 · 100–999: +22 · 1,000+: +30
Displaced people: 1–9,999: +6 · 10,000–99,999: +12 · 100,000+: +18
Casualties: 100 or more: +8
Story wording: +10 for terms such as catastrophe, famine, war, conflict, major earthquake, mass casualty or critical. Otherwise, +5 for active, ongoing, emergency, outbreak, cyclone or hurricane.

Score bands: Watch 0–24 · Moderate 25–49 · High 50–74 · Critical 75–100. Scores are capped at 100. Missing or unparseable figures add no points.

This is a rule-based WorldsAid triage indicator, not an official or independently validated classification. It does not account for recency or local context, and it can understate events with incomplete reporting. Check the linked sources.

Last verified6 Oct 2026

Date: 28 Aug 2026
Status: SEARCH AND RECOVERY ONGOING · 1,455 DEAD · 5,285 MISSING · 1,085 PEOPLE IN 17 HOLDING CENTRES
Aid Zone: ASIA
Countries: Nepal
Agency: Government of Nepal / Nepal Red Cross

In brief

What happenedSearch, recovery and relief operations continued after the 26 August flash flood devastated settlements and infrastructure across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and downstream districts.
Reported impactAffected persons: 93,000 · Displaced persons: 1,200 · Deaths: 1,455
What help is neededUNICEF reported that at least 22,000 children urgently needed safe-water, sanitation and hygiene support and had dispatched WASH supplies for around 19,000 people in Rasuwa and Nuwakot.

What changed

Updated verified snapshot

This record was first dated 2026-08-28 and last verified 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z.

Situation

Search, recovery and relief operations continued after the 26 August flash flood devastated settlements and infrastructure across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and downstream districts. UNICEF Humanitarian Situation Report No. 6, published 5 October and citing the NDRRMA Situation Report dated 4 October, records 1,455 deaths, 5,285 people missing and 1,085 people remaining in 17 holding centres. These are retained as a new dated NDRRMA-attributed observation. The unchanged missing count and the change in holding-centre figures are not arithmetically reconciled because the source does not provide one-for-one dispositions. UNICEF separately reports 84,270 people affected across 17 municipalities in six districts, including 32,021 children and 1,854 persons with disabilities; this scope is not merged with the International Red Cross's earlier estimate of at least 93,000 people affected. The 26 September NDRRMA-attributed observation remains in the evidence history with 1,453 deaths, 5,285 unaccounted for, 13,795 rescued and 1,113 rescued people in 21 holding centres. Earlier 19 and 20 September counts remain preserved. A 7 September Nepal Police report classified recovered bodies as 530 men, 328 women and 495 people whose sex could not be identified because of their condition; the 530 figure is not a count of body parts. International tunnel-rescue and forensic teams continued work alongside Nepal's security agencies at affected hydropower projects and other locations. The Acrow bridge over the Tadi River at Devighat on the Galchhi–Trishuli road had opened to the public, while road clearance and restoration of electricity and telecommunications continued. The government's Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment estimated approximately USD 1.8 billion in damage, USD 883 million in losses and USD 4.78 billion in reconstruction requirements; a broader Post Disaster Needs Assessment remained underway. UNICEF reported that at least 22,000 children urgently needed safe-water, sanitation and hygiene support and had dispatched WASH supplies for around 19,000 people in Rasuwa and Nuwakot. Earlier assessments recorded 279 injured and approximately 1,200 displaced.

Why glaciers are a growing concern: The exact sequence that triggered this disaster remains under investigation, so glacier change should not be presented as the sole confirmed cause. However, WMO and ICIMOD warn that rising temperatures are changing glaciers, snow, permafrost and high-mountain slopes across the Hindu Kush Himalaya. Meltwater lakes can form or expand on and beside glaciers, while thawing frozen ground can destabilise rock and ice. Avalanches or slope failures can then displace lake water or create temporary dams, producing sudden floods that gather debris and become more destructive downstream. The transboundary Poiqu–Bhote Koshi–Sun Koshi basin is already recognised as highly exposed to glacial-lake outburst floods. Scientists therefore stress the need for satellite monitoring, cross-border data exchange, downstream warning systems and evacuation planning. WMO reports more than 25,000 mapped glacial lakes across the wider Hindu Kush Himalaya and projects that regional glacial-lake outburst flood risk could triple by the end of this century. All human-impact totals remain provisional and may change as identification, access and missing-person reconciliation improve.

WorldsAid verification

A WorldsAid editor reviewed this record against 60 attributed sources, cleaned feed formatting and checked the crisis, place and reporting date. 100 human-impact figures were separated from the narrative and dated where the source allowed. Earlier observations remain in the evidence history instead of being silently overwritten.

Verified figures

Affected persons: 93,000 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Displaced persons: 1,200 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Deaths: 1,455 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Injured: 279 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Reported deaths in Nepal: 1,455 · NDRRMA-attributed observation dated 4 October 2026, reported by UNICEF retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
People still unaccounted for: 5,285 · NDRRMA-attributed observation dated 4 October 2026, reported by UNICEF retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
People rescued: 13,795 · NDRRMA-attributed observation, 26 September 2026 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
People in holding centres: 1,085 people across 17 centres · NDRRMA-attributed observation dated 4 October 2026, reported by UNICEF retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Statistics reviewed: 5 October 2026 · UNICEF Situation Report No. 6 citing NDRRMA Situation Report dated 4 October 2026 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Estimated physical damage: Approximately USD 1.8 billion · Government RDNA retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Estimated economic loss: Approximately USD 883 million · Government RDNA retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Estimated reconstruction requirement: Approximately USD 4.78 billion · USD 57.67 million short term and USD 4.71 billion longer term retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
People affected: At least 93,000 · International Red Cross estimate retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Affected estimate scope: Nepal response area; wider Tibet impacts are not included retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Children affected: At least 17,000 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Children reported among fatalities by UNICEF: At least 14 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
UNICEF emergency appeal: USD 17.2 million retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Schools completely destroyed: 18 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Schools damaged: 20 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
School-age children requiring urgent education support: Approximately 10,000 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Health facilities severely damaged: At least 4 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Households estimated to require immediate relief: 10,000 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
People planned for initial WFP food support: 10,000 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
People reached through government relief distribution: 3,696 through 27 distribution centres retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Countries reported providing response support: At least 8 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
WFP emergency food dispatched: 2.4 metric tonnes retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Immediate WFP funding requirement: USD 4 million retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Initial BP-5 dispatch: 400 kg for 100 households for 48 hours retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Additional BP-5 dispatch: 2 metric tonnes for nearly 2,700 people retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
WFP logistics trucks deployed: 5 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Generators dispatched: 2 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Power banks dispatched: 50 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Women among first 95 confirmed deaths: 27 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Men among first 95 confirmed deaths: 37 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Girls among first 95 confirmed deaths: 6 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Boys among first 95 confirmed deaths: 5 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Unidentified among first 95 confirmed deaths: 20 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Missing persons: 5,786 in Nepal · Government of Nepal / NDRRMA-linked update, 20 September 2026 at 19:00 NPT; provisional and subject to reconciliation retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Hydropower workers unaccounted for: At least 900 across 12 damaged projects retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Workers believed trapped in tunnels: Approximately 500 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Upper Trishuli-1 workers missing: At least 576, including around 300 believed trapped in a tunnel retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Bodies recovered from hydropower tunnels: 4 from 3 tunnels retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Tourists reported out of contact: 320 still missing; 261 rescued by 29 August retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Foreign tourists reported out of contact: 589 foreign nationals included in the 9am missing-person list retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Nepali tourists reported out of contact: 114 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Foreign nationals reported missing: Agency totals differ; reconciliation ongoing retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Nepali tourists reported missing: 113 (latest NEOC breakdown) retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Indian travellers reported missing: 178 (latest tourism breakdown) retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
United States travellers reported missing: >60 (latest tourism breakdown) retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Australian travellers reported missing: 34 (provisional) retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
United Kingdom travellers reported missing: 33 (provisional) retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Canadian travellers reported missing: 24 (provisional) retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
South Korean hydropower workers reported missing: 9 (provisional) retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
People reported missing in Tibet: 546 (provisional) retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
People displaced in Nepal: Approximately 1,200 from at least three villages retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Earlier holding-centre observation: More than 2,500 across 20 centres · 10 September 2026 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Holding-centre displacement change: Decline of at least 1,269 people (at least 50.76%) · status, returns and assessment reconciliation; not an exact like-for-like decrement retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Malaysian nationals reported out of contact: 11 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Police officials reported missing: 27 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Nepali Army personnel reported missing: 45 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Armed Police Force personnel reported missing: 13 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Security personnel reported missing: 85 total retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Rasuwa residents reported missing: 161 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Nuwakot residents reported missing: 1 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Affected settlements reported in Rasuwa: Around 12 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Hydropower and solar capacity reportedly affected: Earlier estimate: approximately 748 MW retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
People rescued alive on 4–5 September: 4 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Houses affected in rapid assessment: Approximately 7,570, affecting around 32,933 people retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Government offices affected: 48 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Roads damaged: 55 km retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Motorable bridges damaged: 37 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Suspension bridges damaged: 68 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Agricultural land affected: Approximately 1,806 hectares retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Hydropower projects affected: 13 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Hydropower generation capacity affected: 783 MW retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Children requiring urgent WASH support: At least 22,000 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
People covered by dispatched UNICEF WASH supplies: Around 19,000 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
People injured: 279 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Security personnel mobilised: 20,819 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Hydropower personnel out of contact: 60 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Rescued survivors receiving treatment: 63 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Helicopters deployed: 12 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Rescue helicopter flights reported: 411 sorties retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Bridges reported damaged: Earlier assessment: at least 19 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Suspension bridges reported destroyed: Earlier assessment: 45 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Second Indian relief consignment: 37.5 tonnes of food and medical supplies retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Road reported damaged: Around 40 km retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Road section washed away: 18 km between Syaphrubesi and Rasuwagadhi retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Hydropower and solar projects reportedly affected: 14 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Downstream districts under evacuation alerts: Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Vehicles reportedly swept away: >300 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Maximum observed river rise: 9 metres in approximately 30 minutes retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Flood-wave height reported by IFRC: Approximately 8–10 metres in some locations retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Houses reportedly swept away: Approximately 60 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Primary affected rivers: Bhotekoshi, Lhende Khola, Trishuli and Narayani retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Secondary flood hazard: Expanding barrier lake with possible dam-failure risk · 28 August retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Impact status: Rapidly evolving; official verification continuing retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Recovered-body classification in Nepal Police report: 530 men, 328 women and 495 unidentifiable due to condition · reported 7 September 2026; not a count of 530 body parts retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
Intermediate holding-centre observation: 1,342 people across 24 holding centres · Nepal Police-attributed public update, 19 September 2026; superseded by the 21 September status observation retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z
IFRC appeal update: 28,000 people targeted · CHF 18 million requirement · 74.9% funded · 6 October 2026 retained at 2026-10-06T00:00:00Z

What we knew when

2026-08-28WorldsAid record entered the retained historical dataset.
2026-10-06T00:00:00Z28,000 PEOPLE TARGETED · CHF 18 MILLION REQUIREMENT · 74.9% FUNDED · 6 OCTOBER 2026 preserved as a dated, source-linked observation. Source
2026-09-05T14:00:00+05:45SEARCH AND RESCUE ONGOING · 1,344 BODIES RECOVERED · ~5,000 MISSING preserved as a dated, source-linked observation. Source
2026-09-07NEPAL POLICE RECOVERY CLASSIFICATION · 530 MEN · 328 WOMEN · 495 UNIDENTIFIABLE DUE TO CONDITION preserved as a dated, source-linked observation. Source
2026-09-07T14:00:00+05:45SEARCH AND RESCUE ONGOING · 1,355 BODIES RECOVERED · ~5,000 MISSING preserved as a dated, source-linked observation. Source
2026-09-10MORE THAN 2,500 DISPLACED PEOPLE LIVING ACROSS 20 HOLDING CENTRES preserved as a dated, source-linked observation. Source
2026-09-11T16:00:00+05:45SEARCH AND RESCUE ONGOING · 1,385 BODIES RECOVERED · ~5,130 MISSING preserved as a dated, source-linked observation. Source
2026-09-17SEARCH AND RESCUE ONGOING · 1,410 CASUALTIES · 6,145 MISSING preserved as a dated, source-linked observation. Source
2026-09-19T19:00:00+05:45SEARCH AND RESCUE ONGOING · 1,411 CASUALTIES · 5,875 MISSING · DATA RECONCILIATION CONTINUES preserved as a dated, source-linked observation. Source
2026-09-19T19:00:00+05:45INTERMEDIATE HOLDING-CENTRE OBSERVATION · 1,342 PEOPLE ACROSS 24 CENTRES preserved as a dated, source-linked observation. Source
2026-09-20T19:00:00+05:45SEARCH AND RESCUE ONGOING · 1,451 CASUALTIES · 5,786 MISSING · DATA RECONCILIATION CONTINUES preserved as a dated, source-linked observation. Source
2026-09-211,231 PEOPLE REMAIN IN 20 HOLDING CENTRES · RETURNS AND ASSESSMENT RECONCILIATION preserved as a dated, source-linked observation. Source
2026-09-26NDRRMA-ATTRIBUTED SNAPSHOT · 1,453 DEAD (1,451 BODIES RECOVERED + 2 DIED DURING TREATMENT) · 5,285 UNACCOUNTED FOR · 13,795 RESCUED · 1,113 RESCUED PEOPLE IN 21 HOLDING CENTRES preserved as a dated, source-linked observation. Source
2026-10-04UNICEF SITUATION REPORT NO. 6 / NDRRMA-ATTRIBUTED SNAPSHOT · 1,455 DEATHS · 5,285 MISSING · 1,085 PEOPLE IN 17 HOLDING CENTRES preserved as a dated, source-linked observation. Source

Earlier figures are never replaced by later values; additional observations are retained as new ledger entries.

Provenance

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