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Flooding in the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river systems has caused catastrophic damage to hydropower projects in Rasuwa and Nuwakot, with the government’s preliminary assessment putting losses to the hydropower sector alone at more than Rs 80bn.

The assessment, carried out by the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, covers 12 hydropower projects that were either operational or under construction. It does not include damage to transmission and distribution infrastructure, for which assessment is still underway.

The flooding on Aug 26 also affected irrigation systems, solar power and alternative energy infrastructure in the two districts. The government has yet to determine the final extent of the damage.

The human toll remains equally alarming. Hundreds of workers and technical staff remain missing or out of contact after being trapped by floodwaters and debris, particularly inside underground powerhouses, headworks and access tunnels.

The Ministry’s preliminary assessment puts the number of workers, technical staff and local people missing or trapped at 983 across the affected sites. A separate update issued by the Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN), however, puts the number of people out of contact at 947 across 11 projects. The figures are preliminary and have continued to change as rescue and communication efforts progress.

Of the 12 projects, eight were operational, with a combined capacity of 281 MW, while four projects with a combined capacity of 388 MW were under construction. Together, the projects represent 669 MW of installed or planned capacity.

The immediate challenge for the hydropower sector is not only the physical destruction of infrastructure but also the ongoing rescue operation. Many of the affected facilities are located in steep mountain terrain and rely on underground tunnels and powerhouses. Floodwaters have filled these structures with mud, rocks and debris, while continuing rainfall and swollen rivers have made it difficult for rescue teams and heavy machinery to reach them.

Rasuwa bears the brunt

Rasuwa has suffered the heaviest impact, with six major hydropower facilities affected, including some of the country’s largest projects.

The affected projects in the district have a combined capacity of 494 MW, according to the preliminary assessment. They include Upper Trishuli-1, Rasuwagadhi, Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi, Langtang Khola, Chilime and Mailung Khola.

The 216-MW Upper Trishuli-1, which is under construction, has recorded the largest number of people missing. According to IPPAN, 557 people associated with the project remain missing or out of contact. The project had 1,433 people at the site, of whom 876 have been rescued. Around 115 people are suspected to be trapped in the headworks and main tunnel. Those reported out of contact include 15 people from NWEDC, seven from JH Consult, 56 from Doosan, 385 from PowerChina and 94 from Andritz Hydro. A 44-member South Korean rescue team has also arrived to assist in the search. Nine Korean nationals are among those reported missing.

The 111-MW Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project, which is operational, has reported 93 people out of contact. It remains uncertain how many of them may be trapped inside the underground powerhouse. Three people managed to reach a safe location, while four others reportedly rescued themselves from underground two days after the disaster. Rescue operations at Rasuwagadhi have been complicated by the rising river. An excavator could not be deployed because of rising water levels and erosion, while a protection wall was damaged. A helicopter also could not land at the site.

The 120-MW Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi project, which is under construction, has reported four people missing. The IPPAN update also records the rescue of three Chinese and two Nepali workers by helicopter. The figures do not fully correspond, however, with the reported number of missing people.

At the 20-MW Langtang Khola project, which was in testing and commissioning, 41 people were reported missing or out of contact, while 19 were rescued. Search teams had advanced around 150 metres into the tunnel. The Ministry’s preliminary account says workers may have been trapped in an access tunnel while concreting work was being carried out around the penstock.

The 22-MW Chilime Hydropower Project has also been hit hard. IPPAN reported six people trapped inside the underground powerhouse, while 71 people were at the site and others had reached safety. The Ministry’s preliminary account, however, puts the number of missing people at eight, indicating that the human toll remains subject to verification.

Rescue operations have been particularly difficult because of continued rainfall and rising river levels. Nepali Army personnel and an expert team from the Indian Army have been deployed, but rescuers have so far been unable to reach those trapped underground. Machinery is being prepared for the operation, although an excavator had not yet reached the site at the time of the IPPAN update.

At the 5-MW Mailung Khola Hydropower Project, seven people remain out of contact, with some having been unreachable for as long as a week.

Nuwakot projects severely affected

Six hydropower and energy facilities in Nuwakot have been affected, with a combined capacity of 175.7 MW. The preliminary assessment puts the number of people missing from these sites at 237.

The 37-MW Upper Trishuli-3B, which is under construction, accounts for the largest number of missing people in Nuwakot. According to IPPAN, 191 people are out of contact. They include 141 workers from Fewa Construction, 21 from Trishuli Hydropower, seven family members of employees, 12 workers from Cheska Engineering, one security guard and three Kathmandu University interns. Twenty-three tunnel workers managed to escape, but heavy mud and debris blocked safe access to other workers. Two excavators had been sent to the site, with preparations underway to deploy three. The Ministry’s preliminary account says five bodies have been recovered from the Upper Trishuli-3B site. This figure was not included in the corresponding IPPAN project update.

The 60-MW Upper Trishuli-3A, which is operational, has 42 people believed to be trapped inside its underground powerhouse. The workers were carrying out maintenance work when the flood struck. The tunnel leading to the powerhouse has been blocked by rocks, sand and mud, while the Trishuli River has remained dangerously high. The Nepal Electricity Authority has been working to create an alternative access route, including blasting large rocks and pumping out water, to reach the workers trapped underground.

At the 24-MW Trishuli Hydropower Center, three people are missing—two security guards and one employee. IPPAN says 70 of the 73 people at the site are safe. At the 14.1-MW Devighat Hydropower Project, one security guard is reported missing. The 15.6-MW Middle Trishuli Ganga Hydropower Project, which is under construction, has reported two people missing, while one injured person has been rescued.

Solar plant among damaged energy infrastructure

The flooding also damaged the Nuwakot Solar Power Project. The preliminary assessment describes the project as a 25-MW solar facility, with no casualties reported. The IPPAN update, however, provides a more detailed assessment, saying a 19.6-MW plant was completely damaged, with four of its seven sites swept away. Office and control buildings were also destroyed, although all personnel were reported safe. The project was built by a Chinese company and was scheduled to be handed over to the Nepal Electricity Authority after five years. The flood damaged the facility before the handover could take place.

The death toll from the Bhotekoshi flood has reached 1,222, with 4,875 people still missing, according to Nepal Police. Among the casualties, 600 are foreign nationals, and 77 are minors.

Security forces continue their search and rescue mission. In the worst-affected areas, the chances of finding survivors are slim; however, those who escaped the initial floodwaters and reached nearby higher ground have been safely evacuated. Rescued survivors are currently being housed in holding centers in Nuwakot district, where the supply of relief materials remains satisfactory. Meanwhile, security forces are focusing on recovering bodies in Rasuwa district.

 Prime Minister Balendra Shah, who was initially reluctant to speak in Parliament, appeared before the House to brief lawmakers on the situation. Since the disaster struck, PM Shah has been posting evening updates on Facebook detailing relief and rescue operations. Addressing Parliament, he assured the public that all government agencies have been fully mobilized.

 Opposition leaders have strongly criticized the government's response, arguing that authorities failed to act promptly—particularly regarding the timely deployment of international experts to rescue those trapped in tunnels. Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Chairman of the Nepal Communist Party, stated that while official agencies were deployed, the government failed to mobilize local communities in the affected areas. He further criticized the administration for not consulting political parties during the crisis.

 The United States has delivered over 40 tons of emergency relief supplies. According to the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu, the shipment includes water filters, tarps, blankets, hygiene kits, and solar lights—enough to support 2,600 families—and is being distributed through local ground organizations in close coordination with the Government of Nepal. India and China are also providing humanitarian assistance.

China announced it is providing weather monitoring, forecasting, early warning, and impact services following the severe mudslide along the Nepal-China border. Wang Yawei, spokesperson for the China Meteorological Administration, stated during a press conference that the agency conducted emergency video consultations with Nepal's meteorological department and continues to provide active meteorological support for relief operations.

Eight days after the disaster, some grieving families have begun performing final rites using effigies made of Kush grass, in accordance with Hindu tradition. Facing severe logistical challenges and a lack of cold storage facilities, the government has begun mass burials, assuring families that DNA samples and other identification markers are being safely preserved.

In response, the House of Representatives passed a special resolution regarding the Rasuwa flood, urging the government to prioritize search, rescue, relief, and rehabilitation; provide free medical treatment for the injured; and ensure the scientific management of recovered bodies.

The flood has severely damaged Nepal's tourism industry. Furthermore, extensive damage to the Prithvi Highway and secondary road networks has triggered a spike in the prices of daily essentials. Kathmandu is already facing a shortage of cooking gas, which is expected to worsen as roadblocks persist.

Kamal Dev Bhattarai, Editor

Eight days after the devastating Rasuwa floods, 21-year-old Aprasa Nagarkoti remains at a temporary holding center in Sundari Kurini Secondary School of Bidur-10, Nuwakot.

On August 26, while she was preparing to leave for her bachelor’s classes at Trishuli Multiple College, Nagarkoti came to know that her home in Betrawati—the area worst hit by the disaster—had been completely swept away. Her aunt and other family members managed to reach safety, but her 45-year-old mother could not escape. Her whereabouts remain unknown.

Nagarkoti was airlifted to the shelter by an Army helicopter that same day. Since then, she has been anxiously waiting for news of her mother while caring for her ailing father.

Around 140 people are currently staying at the temporary shelter.

The local government has been providing meals, clothes and footwear, ensuring that residents have access to basic necessities. However, Nagarkoti remains unsure about her future and says that she needs a permanent home before she can return to her studies.

“I cannot think about returning to my studies until I have a place to live,” she says. 

Like Nagarkoti, other displaced residents are anxiously waiting for the government to announce a clear plan for long-term temporary housing. Many fear that bureaucratic procedures could delay the release of funds for months or even years.

Sonu Tamang, also from Betrawati, is among them. She is looking after her three children, including her four-year-old son, at the shelter. She says food is not her immediate concern, as relief supplies are reaching the center. 

Her husband, however, was injured in the flood and is undergoing treatment in Kathmandu.

Tamang is desperate to see him but remains uncertain about where her family will go once everything comes to normalcy. 

Across Nuwakot, more than 3,600 people are taking refuge in 19 temporary shelters. 

Relief efforts have gradually become more visible, with dozens of vehicles transporting temporary shelter materials along the Kathmandu–Nuwakot highway. 

Local charities and volunteer groups have also been providing hot meals to displaced residents.

Meanwhile, security forces have continued search-and-rescue operations eight days after the disaster.

On the morning of September 2, the Nepal Army rescued 80-year-old Gombo Lama, a diabetic patient, along with his 69-year-old wife and other family members from Hakubesi in Rasuwa. The family had survived for more than a week on dry food dropped by Army helicopters.

Three members of the family remain missing. Lama’s wife said returning to their destroyed home is no longer possible and expressed a desire to relocate to Dhunche.

Rescue operations at hydropower tunnels, meanwhile, remain extremely challenging.

Massive rocks and debris have blocked tunnel entrances, making it difficult for technical teams and workers to carry out rescue operations. 

Excavators brought to the sites have been unable to operate effectively because of the difficult terrain.

Rescuer Nirmal Dahal said debris cannot be cleared and excavation cannot proceed until functional heavy equipment can be brought directly to the tunnel sites.

The immediate challenge now facing the Nepal government is formulating a clear housing roadmap for the flood victims. 

This situation differs significantly from the 2015 earthquake; during the earthquake, victims still owned their land where they could erect temporary shelters using immediate government cash incentives before receiving permanent rebuilding funds. In contrast, these flood victims have lost their land entirely, leaving them with nowhere to construct basic shelters.

Victims are also aware that Rs 6 billion have already been deposited into the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund along with to international assistance and donations from individuals and organisations. 

Observing the public response, an analyst noted that there is greater enthusiasm among citizens to contribute to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund this time, driven by the expectation that the funds will be utilized properly without corruption.

For displaced residents, Budtha Lal Tamang (30) said that the government must act swiftly to manage shelter, ensuring that the bureaucratic procedures will not delay relief for months. 

Prime Minister Balendra Shah, while addressing Parliament, stated that around 12,000 people have been rescued as of September 2. He informed the house that the bodies of 1,114 flood victims have been recovered, while around 4,000 individuals remain missing. According to him, only 95 of the recovered bodies have been identified so far, prompting the government to collect DNA samples to help establish the identities of the deceased before burial.

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.