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The cause of the sudden flooding remains under investigation, with authorities examining the possibility that it may have been triggered by a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF).
Visuals of flash floods in northern Nepal. (Source: X)
A massive flash flood surged through northern Nepal’s Bhote Koshi River on Wednesday morning, devastating parts of Rasuwa district near the Tibet border and damaging homes, vehicles, bridges and infrastructure projects, officials said.
The sudden rise in the river was reported at around 9 am local time, with authorities saying the floodwaters appeared to have entered from the direction of Tibet. The worst-hit areas include the border settlements of Timure and Syabrubesi.
Officials have yet to establish the full extent of the destruction or confirm casualties, as assessment teams are still collecting information from affected areas.
“We have reports of villages and infrastructure project sites being washed away,” Rasuwa district administrator Narendra Pariyar told Reuters.
“There could be heavy casualties or loss of property. But I cannot say for sure now,” he added. The Nepali Army has rescued 12 people from the affected area so far.
Vehicles, Bridge Swept Away In Flood
The Nepal Army said the flooding caused extensive destruction in Timure and the Syabrubesi area, with vehicles, commercial goods and other property carried away by the water.
Rasuwa Chief Customs Officer Rajendra Dhungana said several vehicles and goods stored within the customs premises were swept away. A bridge that had been built recently was also destroyed.
As a big flood has entered Bhotekosi River Rasuwa from Tibet side, until further notice, it is requested to remain in a safe place with high vigilance in places like Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan, Gorkha and other coastal areas of Trishuli River. pic.twitter.com/Zun6icZZCM— Nepal Police (@NepalPoliceHQ) August 26, 2026
Reports from the region also indicated damage to roads and power infrastructure, although authorities were yet to release a comprehensive assessment.
❗Major Floods Hit Northern Nepal, Rescue Ops UnderwayFlash floods have swept through Timure and Syabrubesi in Rasuwa district, with terrifying visuals emerging from the affected areas.
Nepal PM Balendra Shah said the Army, Armed Police and police have been deployed for rescue… pic.twitter.com/Asd1qmTFKK
— RT_India (@RT_India_news) August 26, 2026
Rasuwa, a mountainous district located around 125 km from Kathmandu and adjoining Tibet, has a population of around 50,000.
Districts On High Alert
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has warned residents living close to riverbanks in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan and Gorkha to remain extremely cautious and move to safer locations if required.
Nepal Police also issued an alert for communities along the Trishuli River basin following the sudden influx into the Bhote Koshi.
“Due to a large flood entering the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa from the Tibetan side, districts along the Trishuli River basin, including Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan, Gorkha, and surrounding areas, are urged to remain highly vigilant and stay in safe locations until further notice,” the police said in a statement.
People in low-lying areas have been advised to move to higher ground and avoid approaching rivers and flood-affected locations.
Army Deploys Helicopters For Rescue
Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah said security forces have been mobilised for rescue and relief operations in Rasuwa and neighbouring areas.
The Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police have deployed personnel to the affected region.
An MI-17 helicopter carrying an Emergency Medical Rescue Team has also been deployed towards the district hospital in Trishuli, the Army said.
The Nepali Army has deployed 12 helicopters for rescue and relief operations in Rasuwa and surrounding areas.
The Nepal government has also decided that private helicopters deployed for relief, rescue, and search operations do not need to obtain permission, while NOC has sent a tanker with aviation fuel from Kathmandu to Trishuli in Nuwakot
Nepal Telecom’s phone and data services have been made free for rescue and coordination efforts in Dhading, Nuwakot, Rasuwa, and Chitwan.
Additional ambulances and medical teams are being sent to the affected region as authorities prepare for possible casualties.
Following the Rasuwa flood, 41 security personnel have gone missing which includes: 32 from Nepal Police and 9 from Armed Police
PM Calls High-Level Meeting
Prime Minister Shah has called a meeting of the National Security Council to assess the flooding that hit Rasuwa on Wednesday morning and coordinate the government’s response.
Shah will chair the meeting, which is expected to review the scale of the disaster, rescue efforts and preparations for possible flooding downstream.
Meanwhile, Nepal’s President Ram Chandra Paudel has urged the government, political parties, and social organisations to intensify rescue and relief efforts for those affected by the Rasuwa floods.
Flood Not Linked To Rainfall In Rasuwa
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said the flooding was not triggered by rainfall in Rasuwa, adding to concerns over the sudden nature of the river surge.
The incident comes a year after catastrophic flooding in the Bhotekoshi area killed at least 10 people in Rasuwa. That disaster was attributed to the sudden drainage of a previously undetected supraglacial lake.
The cause of the sudden flooding remains under investigation, with authorities examining the possibility that it may have been triggered by a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF).
The authorities have set up emergency helpline numbers, which are: APF: 1114 Nepal Police: 100 Ambulance: 102 DEOC: 1234 Asst. CDO Rasuwa : 9851164422 Rasuwa Police: 9851254960 Asst. CDO Nuwakot: 9851248777 Nuwakot Police: 9851282380 CDO Dhading: 9851247777 Dhading Police: 9851229860 Asst. CDO Chitwan: 9855088891 Chitwan Police:
With inputs from PTI, Reuters
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18The cause of the sudden flash floods in northern Nepal is currently under investigation, with authorities examining the possibility that it may have been triggered by a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF). The flooding was not caused by rainfall in Rasuwa.
Ask News18About the Author
Prisha is the Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, with more than 10 years of experience in national and international news. She specialises in editorial leadership, sharp news judgment, and high-impact st…Read More
Kathmandu, Nepal
August 26, 2026, 12:36 IST
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