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Against the backdrop of escalating conflict in West Asia and the ongoing war in Ukraine, New Delhi has turned into the world’s geopolitical epicenter as world leaders gather for the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12–13. New Delhi is hosting the summit during a challenging period as India attempts to navigate its complex relationship with China, Russia, and the United States.

The summit brings together prominent anti-Western voices—including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian—marking a pivotal moment for the Global South's financial and geopolitical alignment. Addressing the BRICS Business Forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a sharp critique of Western economic dominance, accusing Western nations of resorting to unfair tactics to cling to global influence.

"Unfortunately, our Western competitors are currently trying to regain their former leadership by any means possible. Today, this competition is sometimes taking on unsavory forms... manifesting at the state level," Putin said. He emphasized the shifting balance of the global economy, pointing out that BRICS member states now generate over 40% of global GDP, compared to 29% from the Group of Seven (G7) nations.

Echoing Putin’s push against Western economic leverage, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called on the bloc to construct a self-sustaining financial framework and accelerate the transition to national currencies for cross-border trade. He urged BRICS to eliminate dependency on Western financial tools to safeguard legitimate trade and mitigate risks posed by sanctions.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to adopt a more measured tone regarding Western powers. Following high-level diplomatic engagements with U.S. President Donald Trump, Beijing appears focused on maintaining economic stability while advancing BRICS integration. During Trump’s visit to Beijing, two countries emphasized a constructive relationship of strategic stability.

India continues to chart a neutral path while taking the opportunity to advocate for peace. On the sidelines of the summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held high-level discussions with President Pezeshkian—their second meeting in under two weeks following the SCO Summit in Bishkek—reiterating India's stance on regional security, dialogue, and the protection of maritime trade corridors.

PM Modi also met with President Putin to reiterate India's call to resolve the Ukraine conflict. “Prime Minister once again reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy was the way forward in resolving conflicts and India stood ready to assist in peace efforts,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. It added: “They also shared perspectives on key regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region which have impacted maritime trade and the safety and security of Indian seafarers.”

As BRICS leaders refine mechanisms to bypass traditional, U.S. dollar-centric financial channels, the New Delhi summit signals a decisive push toward a multipolar global economy, even as member nations navigate differing diplomatic relations with the West.

Two weeks after the devastating flood, the Nepal Army (NA) continues its search and rescue operations. The NA reported that it rescued 30 people on Friday using helicopters, bringing the total number of rescued individuals in affected areas to over 4,000, including 283 foreign nationals.

Overall 36,776 people have been rescued so far, including more than 320 foreign nationals. However, approximately 5,130 people remain missing—including 560 foreign nationals from 35 countries—and 1,385 bodies have been recovered.

The government has expedited preparations to build temporary shelters for displaced residents. Those who prefer not to stay in government-arranged temporary housing will receive Rs 15,000 in assistance. However, disbursing these funds may take time as officials have yet to conduct a comprehensive survey of displaced households.

In infrastructure recovery, an Acrow Bridge over the Tadi River at Devighat along the Galchhi–Trishuli road section has been completed and is now open to the public. Road clearing, site clearance, and the removal of debris continue across multiple locations in the affected areas.

An official assessment estimates total physical damage at approximately $1.8 billion, with economic losses reaching around $883 million. Long-term reconstruction will require an estimated $4.78 billion. Of this total, approximately $57.67 million is needed for immediate, short-term recovery over the next six months, while $4.71 billion will be required for long-term rebuilding efforts.

The education sector has also taken a heavy hit. A government study indicates that the flood has disrupted the education of over 9,000 students. Eighteen schools were affected, with 11 buildings completely destroyed and 7 sustaining partial damage. Rebuilding the education infrastructure will require an estimated budget of more than Rs 2 billion.

The disaster has further strained an already fragile national economy. Amid reports that government actions have unsettled the private sector and triggered capital flight, Prime Minister Balendra Shah met with prominent business leaders—including Binod Chaudhary, Pawan Golyan, Umesh Shrestha, and Chandra Dhakal—to address private sector concerns, foster a better investment climate, and revitalize the economy following the Bhotekoshi flood.

On the international stage, Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Prime Minister Shah will highlight climate justice in connection with the Bhotekoshi flood during his address to the 81st UN General Assembly. Foreign Ministry officials noted that Prime Minister Shah will draw global attention to the severe loss of life and property Nepal frequently suffers due to climate-induced disasters. He will urge the international community to ensure climate justice for Nepal through immediate, fair compensation via the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, alongside accessible and concessional climate finance and technology transfers.

 Officials warned, however, that developed nations often offer loans instead of grants, risking further climate debt for vulnerable countries. Additionally, Nepal will host a side event in New York titled "Sagarmatha to the Sea: A Call to Action for a Climate-Resilient Future"—a routine initiative that has historically struggled to make an impact due to a lack of high-level international representation.

KAMAL DEV BHATTARAI\ Kathmandu

Two weeks after the flash flood, Nepal has made a preliminary estimation that $5.4 billion is required to rebuild the communities and infrastructure. An assessment made joint by National Planning Commission and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management authority states that infrastructure sector suffered the vast majority of the damage.

And energy sector was also hardly hit as it impacted 13 hydropower projects accounting 759 MW total capacity and five solar panels. It could not be an accurate damage as authorities are yet to reach the ground up to Rasuwa. Similarly road sector has been badly hit with 69 kilometers roads and 33 motorable bridges damaged.

 According to estimation, 7570 private houses and 48 public buildings are damaged. As a short-term recovery, government plans temporary restoration including brides and temporary houses for which fund collected at Prime Minister’s relief fund is sufficient.

For the long-term infrastructure, government needs to secure the international fund. Government plans to draw international grants for the recovery and reconstruction. PM Balendra Shah is travelling to New York to highlight the agenda of climate justice during his address to 81th General Assembly of United Nations.

Nepal’s call for financial compensation following recent deadly floods underlines the need to help countries that contribute the least to climate change—but are increasingly grappling with its most lethal consequences, a top UN Official has said.

The devastation Nepal has experienced is an extraordinary, stark illustration of losses and damages that climate- vulnerable countries are increasingly facing, UN Resident Coordinator to Nepal, Lila Pieters Yahia told reporters by video link at UN Headquarters. Authorities have continued search and rescue operations. Nepal Army retrieved one dead body from a tunnel of hydropower projects. Rescuers are still hopeful of finding survivors in the tunnel.

Former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba visited the flood affected area. After the inspection, Deuba appreciated the role played by Nepal Army in the rescue and relief operations. Earlier, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli had criticized the Nepal Army.

Nepal Congress has prepared personnel to provide psychosocial counselling to citizens affected by the Bhotekoshi disaster. According to party, a cohort of the trained people will head the affected area for psychosocial counseling.

Government has intensified the construction work to restore traffic service along the obstructed Krishnabhir section of the Prithvi Highway. The obstruction in the highway has affected the supply system, mainly shortage of cooking gas.  Nepal Army has installed Bailey bridge over the Tadi River. With the bridge operational, the main road link from Galchhi in Dhading to Dhunche in Rasuwa has been re-established.  Due to the cooking gas shortage, Industry minister resigned and new one has been appointed.

Government has formed a committee to monitor the impact on maternal, newborn, child, and reproductive health and to ensure health services in the areas affected by Bhote Koshi flood. Meanwhile, the flood death toll has reached 1,385, though only 103 bodies have been identified and returned to their families. Approximately 5,000 people remain unaccounted for.

Kamal Dev Bhattarai, Kathmandu

One year after a youth-led uprising toppled the government, Nepal marked the anniversary amid stark division. Families of the deceased demanded criminal accountability, while activists warned that systemic corruption and economic stagnation remain virtually unaddressed.

Victims’ families voiced deep frustration over the lack of justice, emphasizing that those responsible for the killings of 19 youths—most of them students—must be prosecuted and their demands met. Speaking in Parliament, Rachana Khatiwada, mother of victim Rasik Khatiwada, asked the Prime Minister: “How many years will it take for the martyrs to get justice?” She expressed intense anger over Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s refusal to meet with the families and his absence from the function organized to mark GenZ Day on Sept 8.

Those injured in the protests and still undergoing treatment feel abandoned by the government. They say the state has failed to honor its agreements to provide free healthcare, employment for one family member, psychosocial counseling, free education, social security, immediate job placement, and meaningful memorialization.

Families of the deceased and injured have long complained that the government is ignoring their plight. They demand that those responsible for the deaths, including former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, be prosecuted without delay. Although the government previously arrested Oli and Lekhak, the government attorney failed to collect sufficient evidence to file court charges. The families are now demanding the immediate implementation of the Gauri Bahadur Karki-led commission’s findings.

Opposition parties, primarily the CPN-UML and other communist factions, are demanding a thorough investigation into the destruction that occurred on Sept 9, insisting the culprits be held accountable. They criticize the Karki-led panel for focusing exclusively on Sept 8 while ignoring the events of Sept 9, a date both UML and other communist parties have branded a ‘black day’.

Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress, led by Gagan Kumar Thapa, occupies a middle ground—taking ownership of the GenZ movement while withholding support for Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Nepali society remains deeply fractured over how to view the events of Sept 8–9. While major political parties do not explicitly oppose the students’ protests or demands, they refuse to formally acknowledge the events as a “GenZ uprising.”

Questions also remain regarding progress on the primary demands raised by the youth: ending corruption and nepotism, reforming state institutions, and creating jobs. In line with the movement’s goals, Prime Minister Balendra Shah has made good governance his top priority, arguing that improving governance will naturally drive economic recovery. While public perception suggests federal-level corruption has decreased, local-level corruption remains rampant.

Similarly, while service delivery and governance show some signs of improvement, severe bottlenecks persist—particularly in passport distribution and administrative processes. Addressing these shortcomings, Prime Minister Shah posted a brief statement on Facebook: “Dear GenZ, good governance will be maintained. Tribute to the Martyrs.”

A central demand of the GenZ movement was the expansion of domestic economic opportunities. However, the economy has struggled since the uprising. Extensive damage to private enterprises and major hotel chains instilled fear across the business community. Sector leaders urged both the Sushila Karki-led interim administration and Prime Minister Shah to restore a business-friendly environment, but high-profile arrests of prominent businessmen under the new government further dampened market confidence. The destructive Bhotekoshi-Trishuli flood on Aug 26 has only added to the government’s challenge of creating jobs and furthering Nepal’s economy..

The death toll from the August 26 Rasuwa flood has reached 1,369, with 5,132 people still missing and 333 currently receiving treatment in various hospitals.

After two weeks, search and rescue operations have slowed down and are now primarily focused on hydropower project tunnels. Meanwhile, government authorities have shifted their focus toward post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. Hopes remain that those trapped inside the hydropower tunnels can still be rescued alive.

The Nepal government has initiated consultations with development partners regarding post-disaster recovery and needs assessments. The meeting was attended by 20 mission heads and country directors from major donor agencies.

Earlier, Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle discussed the preliminary assessment of immediate physical damage and needs evaluation—currently being prepared by a task force formed by the National Planning Commission—alongside the Global Rapid Disaster Damage Estimation prepared by the World Bank. However, there remains a notable lack of coordination between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Displaced people living in temporary shelters are urging the government to provide temporary housing as soon as possible. The government has already formed a committee to search for suitable land to build these units and is conducting a survey to align temporary housing arrangements with the preferences of affected residents. Authorities plan to complete this survey within a week. The government faces no shortage of funds, as more than 12 billion rupees have already been deposited into the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. PM Shah received a comprehensive briefing from the heads of all security agencies regarding ongoing search, rescue, relief distribution, and medical treatment efforts.

 Following the August 26 flood, Nepali leaders continue to push for climate justice. Chairman of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party, Rabi Lamichhane, while addressing parliament, urged lawmakers to take the initiative to secure international recognition for the Himalayas as a special climate and disaster risk zone.

He also emphasized the need to secure special and simplified financial access to the Green Climate Fund for Himalayan conservation and climate adaptation. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of South-South cooperation and the development of cross-border early warning and disaster forecasting systems, adding: “By incorporating these issues, let us pass a special motion on the Himalayan Climate and Disaster Emergency.” Former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba stated that the international community must deliver climate justice to Nepal, emphasizing that Nepal requires grants rather than loans for its post-disaster recovery and reconstruction.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah is set to make climate justice a key focus of his address at the 81st UN General Assembly, emphasizing international support and compensation for climate-vulnerable nations.

Nepal desperately needs additional equipment and supplies to strengthen its ongoing rescue and response operations. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, these items include high-capacity drones, LiDAR systems, Bailey bridges, epidemic-prevention supplies, DNA testing kits, underwater drones, portable generators, high-capacity surge pumps, laboratory freezers, and mud/tunnel rescue suits, among others. These requests have been formally communicated to international partners, and close coordination is underway to facilitate the timely mobilization of the required assistance.

Government officials are working around the clock to restore road, electricity, and telecommunication connectivity to affected areas, as well as ensuring the timely delivery of relief supplies. Along the Galchhi–Trishuli road section, the installation of an Acrow Bridge over the Tadi River at Devighat has reached 15 bays, with work on the remaining four bays progressing rapidly.

Similarly, the Nepali Army has initiated the construction of an approximately 250-meter suspension bridge connecting Trishuli Bazaar from the lower section of the Dhunge Buddha Temple. Road and site clearance operations are also actively underway in various areas using excavators in both Dhunge and Devighat.

The international community has shown great generosity in providing humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Support has been received from immediate neighbors, friendly nations, international organizations, and philanthropists. Contributors include India, China, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Japan, the United States, Qatar, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Australia, Germany, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Myanmar, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Maldives, Norway, Israel, Canada, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, New Zealand, Denmark, Switzerland, Ireland, the Czech Republic, France, as well as the European Union, Asian Development Bank, World Bank, United Nations and its specialized agencies, among others.

Forensic teams from India, China, Japan, Singapore, and the Republic of Korea have joined the Nepal Police and other relevant authorities to accelerate DNA collection, analysis, and victim identification efforts.

The August 26 flood has dealt a severe blow to Nepal’s economy. Initial estimates indicate that the floods caused losses amounting to 800 billion rupees. According to Finance Minister Wagle, the flood has impacted approximately 13 percent of the country's GDP.

Over the past decade, the major economic shocks experienced by Nepal include the 2015 earthquake, the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing global conflicts, last year’s Gen Z movement, and the August 26 flood.

President Ram Chandra Poudel has requested government ministers to prioritize managing affected citizens, repairing critical road and transport infrastructure, and advancing recovery and reconstruction efforts.

Kamal Dev Bhattarai\ Kathmandu 

Prime Minister Balendra Shah was expected to call an all-party meeting following the deadly flash floods in Rasuwa. He did not. Instead, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane took the initiative and called an all-party meeting to discuss the disaster. 

Lamichhane has similarly taken the lead in political consultations over the floods, holding discussions with the Bagmati chief minister and heads of local governments. The prime minister, meanwhile, has not met senior political leaders on the issue. This is not an isolated instance.

Earlier,following deadly communal violence in Sunsari and other parts of the country. It was Lamichhane—not Shah—who organized an all-party meeting. Shah, by contrast, held discussions with some Madhes-based parties. Another example is: PM Shah addressed Parliament to brief about the flood but he left parliament without speaking with political leaders. Pushpa Kamal Dahal complained of not talking with them.

These developments suggest an emerging division of roles within the government: Shah appears to be concentrating on the administrative and bureaucratic side of governance, while Lamichhane is increasingly taking responsibility for its political affairs. The same pattern appears to be developing in foreign relations. Lamichhane has already visited India and is likely to visit Beijing. 

RSP leaders say Shah maintains a highly structured work routine, reaching his office on time and focusing primarily on government operations. Except for cabinet meetings, he generally meets ministers individually rather than engaging in broader political consultations. Shah’s limited engagement with political activities is not entirely new. From the beginning, he has shown little interest in working closely with politicians. He rarely participates in crucial party meetings, apart from the party’s general convention. His formal position in the party is that of a senior leader, rather than an executive office-holder, meaning he does not exercise executive authority within the party.

Since the election, it has largely been Lamichhane who has reached out to opposition parties and sought their cooperation. Shah has also been reluctant to participate in parliamentary meetings. His supporters argue that this is because the prime minister is focused on the actual work of running the government and does not necessarily need to engage extensively in day-to-day political activities. 

Shah’s background may help explain this style of governance. He is a structural engineer by profession and entered politics after winning the Kathmandu Metropolitan City mayoral election as an independent. His approach to the prime minister's office therefore appears more technocratic and administrative, resembling that of a senior bureaucrat rather than a conventional political leader.

Lamichhane, in contrast, appears to be assuming the role of the government’s political intermediary. He is reaching out to opposition parties, organizing cross-party consultations and seeking political support for government initiatives. There appears to be little indication that Shah objects to Lamichhane taking the political lead.

However, this arrangement also raises an important political question: how effectively are the two leaders coordinating their roles? A government can function with a division between administrative management and political coordination, but only if the two sides are closely aligned.

In this case, opposition parties appear uncertain about whether Lamichhane’s political initiatives fully represent the government’s position, particularly because Shah himself has maintained a relatively low political profile. The emerging picture, therefore, is of a government in which  Balen Shah is increasingly associated with administration and execution, while Rabi Lamichhane is becoming the government’s principal political interlocutor.

By 7 p.m. local time on September 1—exactly one week after a devastating flash flood struck Nepal’s northern border region—the death toll had crossed 1,000. According to the latest Police figures, 1,058 bodies have been recovered, around 4,000 people remain unaccounted for, and more than 11,800 people have been rescued. About 590 foreign nationals from 39 countries are still reported missing. As per government’s situation report, around 1.6 million have been affected by the flood.

The unprecedented disaster has caused enormous human and physical losses across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and downstream districts. Search and rescue operations have continued non-stop for a full week, with security agencies and specialist teams from Nepal, China, India, and South Korea working in some of the most severely damaged areas. The most grueling operation remains the search for hundreds of workers believed to be trapped inside flooded hydropower tunnels. As of today, the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund has collected 6.36 billion Nepalese Rupees (NPR 6,366,551,227)—a strong showing compared to contributions under previous administrations.

Day One — August 26

Around 9:30 a.m. on August 26, media outlets began reporting that a massive flood had caused extensive damage in the Timure area of Rasuwa district, near the Nepal–China border. It was the beginning of a normal workday: government and private offices were preparing to open, while students were arriving at school or still en route. In many classrooms, morning assemblies and the national anthem were about to begin. People in Rasuwa had very little time to receive an emergency alert. However, police managed to issue warnings to downstream districts, including Nuwakot and Dhading, as the surge moved south.

In the initial hours, there was significant confusion regarding the flood’s origin. Early reports suggested it started on the Tibetan side of the border—a claim Chinese authorities rejected. Subsequent satellite imagery and geological assessments indicated that an ice-and-rock avalanche triggered a river blockage in the high Himalayas. The resulting surge traveled rapidly through the Lhende Khola, Bhote Koshi, and Trishuli river systems. The catastrophic scale of the disaster quickly became clear: several police posts were destroyed, roads and bridges were swept away, and entire settlements were inundated.

At approximately 10:30 a.m., a Nepali Army MI-17 helicopter carrying a medical team flew toward the affected zones as reports of extensive destruction in Nuwakot and Dhading began to emerge. Prime Minister Balendra Shah and Home Minister Sudan Gurung convened emergency meetings with the Cabinet and disaster management authorities.

PM Shah addressed the public via social media, assuring victims of full government support. Simultaneously, communications with Rasuwa and Nuwakot suffered a near-total blackout as telephone, electricity, and power networks were destroyed.Political parties appealed to their cadres to join rescue efforts, while the Nepal Army immediately mobilized personnel and helicopters to Timure and surrounding areas. Photographs and videos displaying the devastation flooded mainstream and social media.

The transport sector emerged as a major area of concern. Hundreds of transport workers were in the region due to freight trade between Nepal and China. Freight drivers, public transit workers, tourists, and pilgrims were caught in the deluge, and numerous buses, trucks, and private vehicles were swept away. Relatives of missing transport workers soon began arriving at Kathmandu hospitals searching for answers.

After 1 p.m., security forces began recovering bodies from affected locations and downstream riverbanks. The Cabinet declared Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading disaster-crisis zones for three months. Parliament also convened to urge the government to accelerate rescue and relief operations, while dozens of critically injured victims were airlifted to Kathmandu.

India was among the first nations to respond. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with PM Shah to convey India's readiness to assist. That evening, an Indian Air Force aircraft delivered roughly 10 tonnes of emergency supplies to Nepal, launching an expanded relief operation that later included specialist rescue personnel. By the end of the first day, Nepal Police confirmed that 157 bodies had been recovered.

Day Two — August 27

Search and rescue operations continued throughout the second day. UN Secretary-General António Guterres confirmed that the United Nations was supporting the government-led response, with UN teams and humanitarian partners actively mobilizing aid. The United States also expressed its condolences and pledged humanitarian support. At this stage, however, the government had not formally requested specific forms of international assistance.

Meanwhile, missing-person reports multiplied rapidly as families came forward regarding relatives who had traveled to the area for work, tourism, or pilgrimage. Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane called an all-party meeting, which decided to appeal to the international community for support. Prime Minister Shah did not attend.

Nepal Army helicopters continued rescuing stranded survivors. To streamline air operations, the government ruled that all public and private helicopters must be coordinated under a single central mechanism rather than allowing private companies to operate independently. Prime Minister Shah visited flood-affected areas in Nuwakot and met with injured survivors.

Concurrently, the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu rejected reports that the flood originated in China, attributing the disaster to a glacial collapse on the Nepali side. Scientific evaluations subsequently confirmed the event involved an ice-rock avalanche and river blockage in the Himalayan region, followed by a devastating downstream outburst.

The rising number of missing foreign nationals grew into a major international concern, with hundreds of tourists and pilgrims from more than 30 countries losing contact with their families. Initial figures fluctuated rapidly as authorities worked to verify individual cases.

By 3 p.m., the official death toll surpassed 300. The Nepal Transport Association reported that more than 40 passenger buses were missing. Hospitals in Kathmandu—including Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital and the National Trauma Center—began receiving influxes of injured victims while anxious families gathered outside. Emergency crews also began preparations to restore electricity using alternative routes. On the same day, UK King Charles III and Queen Camilla expressed their deep sorrow over the disaster. Meanwhile, reports confirmed extensive damage to local schools across the affected districts.

Day Three — August 28

The government requested universities to postpone examinations as the disaster's scale continued to expand. Nepal's primary road link to its northern and central regions remained severed for a third consecutive day. Washouts and deep mud buried crucial roads and bridges, making access to the worst-hit zones extremely difficult. By morning, 469 bodies had been recovered and around 1,500 people had been rescued. Some victims were found far downstream, having been carried into India.

Authorities warned residents along riverbanks of potential secondary water surges. A newly formed debris dam created fears of another flash flood if the blockage burst. Officials later clarified that the immediate risk stemmed from accumulated water and debris rather than a conventional glacial lake outburst.

Australia announced humanitarian aid for affected communities. China intensified its response, with President Xi Jinping convening senior officials to address the disaster along both sides of the Nepal–China border. With numerous permanent structures destroyed, Nepal requested Bailey bridges from India and China. India pledged additional humanitarian assistance as international rescue and relief efforts expanded further.

By nightfall, the death toll reached 579. Hundreds of foreign tourists and pilgrims were safely evacuated, though many others remained unaccounted for. What began as a rescue effort was rapidly morphing into a severe economic and infrastructure crisis, with massive damage reported a cross roads, bridges, power plants, transmission lines, schools, and transport facilities. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolences to President Ram Chandra Poudel.

Day Four — August 29

With hundreds still missing, the government deployed additional security personnel to reinforce search and rescue operations. A section of the Prithvi Highway reopened, offering temporary relief to thousands of passengers and vehicles stranded in Kathmandu and neighboring areas. However, major stretches of the northern road network remained blocked. India informed Nepal that over 300 of its citizens were officially reported missing, while local governments compiled updated lists of unaccounted residents.

Political pressure mounted on the government to accept foreign rescue units. Opposition parties argued that Nepal's domestic resources were insufficient for a disaster of this magnitude. The government's initial hesitation to accept direct foreign rescue teams became a central political issue; the Nepal Army had advised caution regarding outside teams, maintaining that domestic capacity should be prioritized. However, as the destruction became fully clear, Nepal began coordinating directly with foreign specialists.

Technical and rescue teams from India, China, and South Korea joined operations on the ground, particularly in areas requiring heavy specialized equipment. Meanwhile, the European Union announced humanitarian aid funding for food, medical supplies, water, and sanitation.

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal clarified that Nepal had never rejected international assistance, emphasizing that personnel and equipment from India and China were already operating in the field. The humanitarian situation was further complicated by the sheer volume of bodies recovered far downstream. Many were heavily damaged or decomposed, making visual identification nearly impossible. Hospitals and temporary morgues in Chitwan, Pokhara, and other districts reached maximum capacity.

Day Five — August 30

The United States announced additional humanitarian assistance, including emergency food aid for affected households. Two Chinese People's Liberation Army aircraft landed in Kathmandu carrying emergency supplies, while China expanded its logistical and technical support as operations grew more complex. US President Donald Trump pledges to provide support to Nepal.

Authorities faced an escalating challenge: managing hundreds of unidentified bodies recovered far downstream in Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Tanahun, Pokhara, and beyond. Many remains were severely disfigured or had been submerged for days, overwhelming mortuaries. Under the legal framework for unattended remains, authorities began burying unidentified bodies in Chitwan after collecting DNA samples, photographs, fingerprints, and other identifying data. A total of 199 unidentified bodies were buried there under these protocols.

The decision triggered sharp criticism from victims' families and opposition political parties—most notably the main opposition, Nepali Congress—who argued that families needed more time to identify loved ones. Prime Minister Shah defended the move, clarifying that the government was not abandoning future identification. Preserved DNA samples and records would allow remains to be identified, exhumed, and handed over to families later. Concurrently, China announced additional cash grants and logistical support for flood victims.

Day Six — August 31

Search, rescue, and body-management operations continued to expand. Prime Minister Shah met with security agency chiefs to review ongoing response efforts. RSP Chairman Rabi Lamichhane also reviewed the situation and briefed President Ram Chandra Paudel on the latest developments.

Rescuing workers trapped inside hydropower projects became the top priority. Updated assessments indicated that approximately 900 hydropower workers were missing across 12 affected projects, with around 800 believed to be trapped inside flooded tunnels. Search teams faced monumental hurdles: access roads and bridges were destroyed, and tunnels were choked with mud, rocks, and debris.

Specialists from Nepal, India, and China intensified efforts at hydropower sites using excavators, drones, advanced search equipment, and controlled blasting by the Nepal Army to clear access points. The discovery of 25 bodies inside a local mart in Betrabesi added to the mounting death toll and the anguish of waiting families.

Meanwhile, continuous disruptions along the Prithvi Highway sparked concerns over the supply of cooking gas and essential commodities to Kathmandu. China formally notified Nepal that the Rasuwagadhi–Kerung and Tatopani border crossings would remain temporarily closed. The closures halted Nepal's overland trade with China at a time when domestic supply chains were already severely strained. First-person survivor accounts began emerging in the media, describing the terrifying speed and destruction of the floodwaters. Desperate families continued visiting hospitals and temporary morgues in hopes of finding missing relatives.

Day Seven — September 1

On the seventh day, searching for survivors remained the government's top priority, even as operations shifted increasingly toward body recovery and identification. RSP Chairman Rabi Lamichhane called another all-party meeting to coordinate rescue and relief measures with government agencies. Prime Minister Shah did not attend, continuing a pattern of limited engagement with parties outside his cabinet.

Trapped hydropower workers remained the most critical rescue challenge. The Independent Power Producers' Association of Nepal confirmed that hundreds of staff remained unaccounted for. In response, authorities authorized charter helicopter flights to support rescue operations at project sites.

By September 1, joint specialist teams from Nepal, China, and India were utilizing helicopters, heavy excavators, drones, and temporary bridges to access isolated communities. Over 11,800 people have been rescued, while approximately 4,000 remain unaccounted for. The government confirmed that more than 21,000 personnel from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force are deployed on the ground.

Electricity and communications are slowly being restored to parts of the disaster zone. Work continues on temporary routes and bridges to reconnect isolated communities, though access to Rasuwa remains severely limited.

The disaster has also intensified the debate surrounding climate justice. Concerns are growing that developing nations like Nepal—which contribute minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions—bear a disproportionate burden of climate-related catastrophes. The crisis has renewed calls for wealthy nations to provide climate finance, technology transfers, and resilience funding.

While scientists caution against attributing this specific glacial collapse entirely to climate change without further research, rapid atmospheric warming is demonstrably destabilizing Himalayan glaciers and increasing hazards for downstream communities. PM Balendra Shah has said that this serves as a serious warning that the risks we face in the Himalayan region are growing due to climate change. PM said: “Climate change is a global contribution, and disaster response remains a global responsibility.” Takaichi Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan held a telephone conversation with PM Balendra Shah and requested Nepal’s fullest cooperation for the swiftest possible search and rescue for the five Japanese nationals who are unaccounted for.

Key areas affected by the flood

Physical Infrastructure

The destruction of roads and bridges is one of the disaster's most severe long-term consequences. The Department of Roads estimates initial road infrastructure damage at roughly NPR 30 billion, with full reconstruction costs expected to reach NPR 50 billion. Of 41 bridges assessed along the corridor, 35 were damaged—including 32 completely destroyed. Approximately 40 kilometers of road were completely washed away.This damage has severed key transit corridors connecting Kathmandu to northern districts and the Chinese border. The government is arranging to import Bailey bridges from India and China to serve as temporary crossings while permanent rebuilding takes shape.

Transportation 

The transportation sector sustained catastrophic losses. Public buses, cargo trucks, private vehicles, and tourist coaches were swept away. Transport workers make up a significant portion of the missing, as many drivers and freight handlers were stationed near the Rasuwa border when the flood hit. The disruption continues to impact the delivery of fuel, cooking gas, food, and essential goods. Combined with the temporary closure of northern border crossings with China, the destroyed road network has severely disrupted both domestic transport networks and international trade.

Hydropower sector 

The disaster delivered a severe blow to the nation's energy sector. At least 12 hydropower projects sustained heavy damage, with estimates indicating that around 670 MW of generation capacity has been knocked offline or disrupted (exact figures vary depending on whether projects under construction and transmission lines are included). Tragically, the human toll in this sector is equally severe: approximately 900 workers tied to affected facilities remain unaccounted for, with around 500 believed to be trapped inside flooded tunnels. Rescuing these workers remains one of the most critical and dangerous components of the ongoing response.

The death toll from the Rasuwa flood has reached 939 as of 6:00 PM on August 31, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. Similarly, 3,925 people remain missing. There has been some fluctuation in the number of missing people. The government has deployed 20,000 security personnel from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police. More than 11,000 people have been rescued, while 279 have been injured.

Special rescue teams from India, China, and South Korea are at the site to rescue those trapped in the tunnel. However, they have not been able to find anyone alive inside the tunnel. Some have argued that it was already too late to bring in the rescuers. Initially, the government decided not to allow foreign rescue teams to enter the country. However, following pressure from countries whose citizens are trapped and from the public at home, the government later allowed foreign rescue teams to enter the country and assist in the rescue efforts.

Most bridges in several areas from Rasuwa and Nuwakot to Dhading have collapsed, severely disrupting transportation and the movement of people. The government has prioritized the construction of temporary bridges in these areas. Nepal currently has six 48-meter Bailey bridges and one 70-meter Bailey bridge available. Feasibility studies have already been completed for installing Bailey bridges at three locations: the Tadi River in Devighat, Trishuli Bazaar, and Betrawati Bazaar. Additionally, a 230-foot single-lane modular steel bridge has been received from India, which has also promised to send seven more Bailey bridges. Similarly, China is providing 30 Bailey bridges, which are expected to arrive soon.

The Prithvi Highway is completely blocked following a landslide at Krishnabhir. With the road obstructed, passengers traveling between Pokhara and Kathmandu are searching for alternative routes. The highway had previously been blocked by a Bhotekoshi flash flood on August 26. According to the Bagmati Province Traffic Police Office, just 24 hours after the highway reopened, it was blocked again on Sunday due to the landslide at Krishnabhir. The latest blockage is likely to further disrupt the transportation system.

The government is preparing to conduct a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) in two phases. The first phase will quantify the loss and damage while also establishing a future development model for the flood-affected regions and Nepal as a whole. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has already completed an urgent assessment.

There are reports of a lack of coordination among the security agencies. Similarly, chiefs of local governments have complained that the federal government is not coordinating with them, which could affect relief distribution and reconstruction efforts. The Prime Minister, however, has said that the roles played by local and provincial governments have been commendable.

Due to floodwaters and sewage contaminating water sources and the environment, the risk of epidemic diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and dengue has increased in affected areas, including Rasuwa and Nuwakot. To prevent a potential health crisis in this critical situation, the Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene has urged people to remain highly alert and issued a special appeal to drink purified water, maintain proper sanitation, and wash their hands with soap and water before eating and after using the toilet.

The floods are likely to affect Nepal’s tourism industry, as hotel owners say that many tourists are cancelling their bookings. September is regarded as a peak season for tourism. This is the second blow to the tourism industry in a year, as last year’s Gen Z movement also affected the sector.

Following the Rasuwa flood, more than NPR 6.36 billion has been deposited into the Prime Minister's Disaster Relief and Rescue Fund. According to information shared by Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Facebook on Monday evening, the amount was collected in the Government of Nepal's Prime Minister's Disaster Fund and Prime Minister's Fund.

Following the destruction of the Rasuwa Gadi border checkpoint—a major trade route between Nepal and China—by the floods, China has also temporarily closed the Tatopani customs border in Sindhupalchok. Dipendra Prakash Giri, chief of the Tatopani Customs Office, said that China temporarily shut down the checkpoint starting August 30. This is likely to increase the prices of goods imported from China.

Kamal Dev Bhattarai
Editor