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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 verified5 Oct 2026
Date
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.
  • How many affectedAffected 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 2026-10-05.

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 59 attributed sources, cleaned feed formatting and checked the event, place and reporting date. 99 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 2026-10-05
Displaced persons
1,200 retained at 2026-10-05
Deaths
1,455 retained at 2026-10-05
Injured
279 retained at 2026-10-05
Reported deaths in Nepal
1,455 · NDRRMA-attributed observation dated 4 October 2026, reported by UNICEF retained at 2026-10-05
People still unaccounted for
5,285 · NDRRMA-attributed observation dated 4 October 2026, reported by UNICEF retained at 2026-10-05
People rescued
13,795 · NDRRMA-attributed observation, 26 September 2026 retained at 2026-10-05
People in holding centres
1,085 people across 17 centres · NDRRMA-attributed observation dated 4 October 2026, reported by UNICEF retained at 2026-10-05
Statistics reviewed
5 October 2026 · UNICEF Situation Report No. 6 citing NDRRMA Situation Report dated 4 October 2026 retained at 2026-10-05
Estimated physical damage
Approximately USD 1.8 billion · Government RDNA retained at 2026-10-05
Estimated economic loss
Approximately USD 883 million · Government RDNA retained at 2026-10-05
Estimated reconstruction requirement
Approximately USD 4.78 billion · USD 57.67 million short term and USD 4.71 billion longer term retained at 2026-10-05
People affected
At least 93,000 · International Red Cross estimate retained at 2026-10-05
Affected estimate scope
Nepal response area; wider Tibet impacts are not included retained at 2026-10-05
Children affected
At least 17,000 retained at 2026-10-05
Children reported among fatalities by UNICEF
At least 14 retained at 2026-10-05
UNICEF emergency appeal
USD 17.2 million retained at 2026-10-05
Schools completely destroyed
18 retained at 2026-10-05
Schools damaged
20 retained at 2026-10-05
School-age children requiring urgent education support
Approximately 10,000 retained at 2026-10-05
Health facilities severely damaged
At least 4 retained at 2026-10-05
Households estimated to require immediate relief
10,000 retained at 2026-10-05
People planned for initial WFP food support
10,000 retained at 2026-10-05
People reached through government relief distribution
3,696 through 27 distribution centres retained at 2026-10-05
Countries reported providing response support
At least 8 retained at 2026-10-05
WFP emergency food dispatched
2.4 metric tonnes retained at 2026-10-05
Immediate WFP funding requirement
USD 4 million retained at 2026-10-05
Initial BP-5 dispatch
400 kg for 100 households for 48 hours retained at 2026-10-05
Additional BP-5 dispatch
2 metric tonnes for nearly 2,700 people retained at 2026-10-05
WFP logistics trucks deployed
5 retained at 2026-10-05
Generators dispatched
2 retained at 2026-10-05
Power banks dispatched
50 retained at 2026-10-05
Women among first 95 confirmed deaths
27 retained at 2026-10-05
Men among first 95 confirmed deaths
37 retained at 2026-10-05
Girls among first 95 confirmed deaths
6 retained at 2026-10-05
Boys among first 95 confirmed deaths
5 retained at 2026-10-05
Unidentified among first 95 confirmed deaths
20 retained at 2026-10-05
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 2026-10-05
Hydropower workers unaccounted for
At least 900 across 12 damaged projects retained at 2026-10-05
Workers believed trapped in tunnels
Approximately 500 retained at 2026-10-05
Upper Trishuli-1 workers missing
At least 576, including around 300 believed trapped in a tunnel retained at 2026-10-05
Bodies recovered from hydropower tunnels
4 from 3 tunnels retained at 2026-10-05
Tourists reported out of contact
320 still missing; 261 rescued by 29 August retained at 2026-10-05
Foreign tourists reported out of contact
589 foreign nationals included in the 9am missing-person list retained at 2026-10-05
Nepali tourists reported out of contact
114 retained at 2026-10-05
Foreign nationals reported missing
Agency totals differ; reconciliation ongoing retained at 2026-10-05
Nepali tourists reported missing
113 (latest NEOC breakdown) retained at 2026-10-05
Indian travellers reported missing
178 (latest tourism breakdown) retained at 2026-10-05
United States travellers reported missing
>60 (latest tourism breakdown) retained at 2026-10-05
Australian travellers reported missing
34 (provisional) retained at 2026-10-05
United Kingdom travellers reported missing
33 (provisional) retained at 2026-10-05
Canadian travellers reported missing
24 (provisional) retained at 2026-10-05
South Korean hydropower workers reported missing
9 (provisional) retained at 2026-10-05
People reported missing in Tibet
546 (provisional) retained at 2026-10-05
People displaced in Nepal
Approximately 1,200 from at least three villages retained at 2026-10-05
Earlier holding-centre observation
More than 2,500 across 20 centres · 10 September 2026 retained at 2026-10-05
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 2026-10-05
Malaysian nationals reported out of contact
11 retained at 2026-10-05
Police officials reported missing
27 retained at 2026-10-05
Nepali Army personnel reported missing
45 retained at 2026-10-05
Armed Police Force personnel reported missing
13 retained at 2026-10-05
Security personnel reported missing
85 total retained at 2026-10-05
Rasuwa residents reported missing
161 retained at 2026-10-05
Nuwakot residents reported missing
1 retained at 2026-10-05
Affected settlements reported in Rasuwa
Around 12 retained at 2026-10-05
Hydropower and solar capacity reportedly affected
Earlier estimate: approximately 748 MW retained at 2026-10-05
People rescued alive on 4–5 September
4 retained at 2026-10-05
Houses affected in rapid assessment
Approximately 7,570, affecting around 32,933 people retained at 2026-10-05
Government offices affected
48 retained at 2026-10-05
Roads damaged
55 km retained at 2026-10-05
Motorable bridges damaged
37 retained at 2026-10-05
Suspension bridges damaged
68 retained at 2026-10-05
Agricultural land affected
Approximately 1,806 hectares retained at 2026-10-05
Hydropower projects affected
13 retained at 2026-10-05
Hydropower generation capacity affected
783 MW retained at 2026-10-05
Children requiring urgent WASH support
At least 22,000 retained at 2026-10-05
People covered by dispatched UNICEF WASH supplies
Around 19,000 retained at 2026-10-05
People injured
279 retained at 2026-10-05
Security personnel mobilised
20,819 retained at 2026-10-05
Hydropower personnel out of contact
60 retained at 2026-10-05
Rescued survivors receiving treatment
63 retained at 2026-10-05
Helicopters deployed
12 retained at 2026-10-05
Rescue helicopter flights reported
411 sorties retained at 2026-10-05
Bridges reported damaged
Earlier assessment: at least 19 retained at 2026-10-05
Suspension bridges reported destroyed
Earlier assessment: 45 retained at 2026-10-05
Second Indian relief consignment
37.5 tonnes of food and medical supplies retained at 2026-10-05
Road reported damaged
Around 40 km retained at 2026-10-05
Road section washed away
18 km between Syaphrubesi and Rasuwagadhi retained at 2026-10-05
Hydropower and solar projects reportedly affected
14 retained at 2026-10-05
Downstream districts under evacuation alerts
Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan retained at 2026-10-05
Vehicles reportedly swept away
>300 retained at 2026-10-05
Maximum observed river rise
9 metres in approximately 30 minutes retained at 2026-10-05
Flood-wave height reported by IFRC
Approximately 8–10 metres in some locations retained at 2026-10-05
Houses reportedly swept away
Approximately 60 retained at 2026-10-05
Primary affected rivers
Bhotekoshi, Lhende Khola, Trishuli and Narayani retained at 2026-10-05
Secondary flood hazard
Expanding barrier lake with possible dam-failure risk · 28 August retained at 2026-10-05
Impact status
Rapidly evolving; official verification continuing retained at 2026-10-05
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 2026-10-05
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 2026-10-05

What we knew when

  1. WorldsAid record entered the retained historical dataset.
  2. SEARCH AND RESCUE ONGOING · 1,344 BODIES RECOVERED · ~5,000 MISSING preserved as a dated, source-linked observation. Source
  3. NEPAL POLICE RECOVERY CLASSIFICATION · 530 MEN · 328 WOMEN · 495 UNIDENTIFIABLE DUE TO CONDITION preserved as a dated, source-linked observation. Source
  4. SEARCH AND RESCUE ONGOING · 1,355 BODIES RECOVERED · ~5,000 MISSING preserved as a dated, source-linked observation. Source
  5. MORE THAN 2,500 DISPLACED PEOPLE LIVING ACROSS 20 HOLDING CENTRES preserved as a dated, source-linked observation. Source
  6. SEARCH AND RESCUE ONGOING · 1,385 BODIES RECOVERED · ~5,130 MISSING preserved as a dated, source-linked observation. Source
  7. SEARCH AND RESCUE ONGOING · 1,410 CASUALTIES · 6,145 MISSING preserved as a dated, source-linked observation. Source
  8. SEARCH AND RESCUE ONGOING · 1,411 CASUALTIES · 5,875 MISSING · DATA RECONCILIATION CONTINUES preserved as a dated, source-linked observation. Source
  9. INTERMEDIATE HOLDING-CENTRE OBSERVATION · 1,342 PEOPLE ACROSS 24 CENTRES preserved as a dated, source-linked observation. Source
  10. SEARCH AND RESCUE ONGOING · 1,451 CASUALTIES · 5,786 MISSING · DATA RECONCILIATION CONTINUES preserved as a dated, source-linked observation. Source
  11. 1,231 PEOPLE REMAIN IN 20 HOLDING CENTRES · RETURNS AND ASSESSMENT RECONCILIATION preserved as a dated, source-linked observation. Source
  12. NDRRMA-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
  13. UNICEF 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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Cached dataset: worldsai_drup771.sql.gz

Record integrity:
VerifiedSHA-256 d0bec23b060324d5f87e400c56327f75bcb46c7b208392e75b0dbe088d43711e

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