Submit your Article

The death toll from Nepal’s flash flood has reached 1,342, with 4,916 people remaining missing, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. The government continues search and rescue operations.

Specialized tunnel rescue teams from India, China, and South Korea are coordinating with the Nepali Army to locate stranded workers using international aid equipment, including drones, heavy load carriers, and specialized gear.

Reinforcing the joint effort, an 11-member Special Malaysian Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) arrived with nine requested high-capacity drones to support ongoing subterranean search operations.

Additional equipment and technical personnel are being deployed to continue search and rescue operations at the affected hydropower projects, including Upper Trishuli 1, Upper Trishuli 3A, Upper Trishuli 3B, Chilime, Rasuwagadhi and Langtang, among others.

Slight discrepancies between Police and Authority data have created some confusion. As of 6 PM on September 6, only 98 bodies have been identified and handed over to their families.

Nepal has further requested for high capacity drones, LiDAR, bailey bridges, items for epidemic prevention, DNA testing kits, bags for human remains, flood rescue truck, mobile air traffic control system, ground penetrating radar, high accuracy laser meter, broadband seismometers, high-capacity surge pump, laboratory freezers, mud rescue complete suit, inflatable walkway, mud lance, rescue sled, among others.

The total number of treated injured people has reached 6,083, while 3,912 displaced individuals are living in holding centers, for whom the government will need to build temporary housing. Over 13,000 people have been rescued over the past 12 days. Authorities have restored electricity to 78 percent of Rasuwa, 96 percent of Nuwakot, and 99 percent of Dhading.

The Nepal government has begun discussions regarding the post-flood recovery and reconstruction assistance it requires. In a meeting with Cho Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal stated that following humanitarian assistance and the supply of relief materials, the government's next priority is building back resilient, durable, and better infrastructure.

A preliminary assessment conducted under the Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) indicates that approximately 7,570 houses—affecting around 32,933 people—and 48 government offices have been damaged. Similarly, 55 kilometers of roads, 37 motorable bridges, and 68 suspension bridges have suffered damage.

 Approximately 1,806 hectares of agricultural land, 13 hydropower projects, one solar power plant, and two transmission lines have also been affected. The assessment further indicates that 783 MW of hydropower generation capacity has been disrupted.

Reports indicate that sufficient relief materials have not reached some rural areas of Rasuwa due to road blockages. Relief supplies are piling up in Nuwakot, and the pace of delivering them to affected areas remains sluggish. Local governments are complaining about the federal government’s failure to dispatch relief materials.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah and Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal are likely to discuss international assistance for post-flood recovery and reconstruction during bilateral meetings on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York during the third week of this month.

Meanwhile, Gagan Kumar Thapa has advised PM Dahal to prepare thoroughly before attending the UN General Assembly, and to speak based on facts and evidence. The Prime Minister is expected to raise the issue of climate justice—a recurring agenda brought up by successive prime ministers.

Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested high-capacity drones, LiDAR, Bailey bridges, epidemic prevention items, DNA testing kits, body bags, flood rescue trucks, a mobile air traffic control system, ground-penetrating radar, high-accuracy laser meters, broadband seismometers, high-capacity surge pumps, laboratory freezers, complete mud rescue suits, inflatable walkways, mud lances, and rescue sleds, among other items.

Continuous rain has closed multiple highways, raising fears of supply chain disruptions in Kathmandu. Authorities are working to reopen these routes. The government is also struggling to manage the cooking gas supply for Kathmandu residents as complaints about shortages increase.

Various ministries are working to amend laws to expedite the construction of temporary shelters, the relocation of settlements to safe places, and the building of permanent housing for flood victims. Legal hurdles and red tape remain major obstacles delaying recovery and reconstruction efforts.

The government has formed a committee to identify land for rehabilitating victims and plans to relocate settlements located in high-risk zones.

With two vital border crossings—Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani—remaining closed, trade has been diverted to the Korala border point. However, this diversion is likely to trigger inflation due to increased transportation costs.

The tourism sector has been severely hit by damage to hotels and infrastructure, with over 150 hotels along river corridors swept away. Mansarovar pilgrimages through this route have been halted, significantly impacting high-end tourism. Several trekking routes remain blocked, and the likelihood of tourists visiting the region remains slim due to fears of potential secondary flooding.

Kamal Dev Bhattarai

Nepal and the Republic of Korea have agreed to continue close cooperation on rescue and relief operations following the devastating floods in the Bhote Koshi River on August 26, with South Korea expressing readiness to support Nepal’s post-disaster reconstruction efforts.

Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Singha Durbar on Sunday, where they discussed the ongoing search, rescue and relief operations, including efforts to locate South Korean nationals reported missing in the disaster.

Khanal thanked the South Korean government for deploying an interagency rapid response team and the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) to flood-affected areas of Nepal. He also expressed appreciation for humanitarian assistance and relief supplies provided by South Korea.

During the meeting, Khanal highlighted the Nepal government’s next priority of rebuilding infrastructure in a resilient, durable and improved manner following the disaster. He expressed hope that South Korea would continue supporting Nepal’s reconstruction efforts.

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho said his government was willing to support Nepal in its post-disaster reconstruction.

He also said the international community has a historical responsibility to support countries such as Nepal that are suffering the consequences of climate change. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cho stressed the need for Nepal and South Korea to work together to raise international awareness about the impacts of climate change, including through global platforms such as the Conference of the Parties (COP).

Cho further said South Korea would raise its voice for Nepal to receive financial support from the international community to address climate-related losses and damages.

The two foreign ministers also reiterated their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations, building on the longstanding friendship, mutual trust and cooperation between Nepal and South Korea.

By 7 PM, the death toll reached 1,341, with around 5,000 people still missing. Security forces have continued search and rescue operations.

Amid the devastating loss of human life and physical infrastructure, some good news is emerging. Two additional people were rescued alive from Ruwakot and Rasuwa districts, rekindling hope that many trapped in the floodwaters may still be alive. Yesterday, two people were rescued from a hydropower tunnel on the 10th day following the flash flood.

The news of the joint rescue team of the Armed Police Force, Nepal, and Nepal Police rescuing 64-year-old Chandrika Shrestha today from flood-affected Betrawati in Bidur-10, Nuwakot, has brought hope to the entire nation. This news is also a message that we are still relentlessly engaged in search and rescue efforts," said PM Balendra Shah.

Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Chairman of the Nepali Communist Party, stated that more lives could have been saved if rescue efforts had been expedited in the initial days of the flooding. Earlier, on September 4, two people were rescued from another hydropower project.

Initially, the government decided not to bring in foreign rescuers, stating that the Nepali Army was capable of handling the operations. Three days following the flood disaster, the Nepalese government decided to request assistance from foreign search and rescue teams.

Authorities are preparing for Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s visit to the United Nations General Assembly. Before the flood, Shah had nominated Shishir Khanal to lead the Nepali delegation.

However, following the Bhote Koshi flood, Shah decided to attend the assembly himself to inform the international community about the adverse impacts of climate change that Nepal is facing. Nepal is seeking reparations for climate-related disasters.

 Nevertheless, observers note that it may be too early to raise the issue of climate justice while the country is still grappling with active search and rescue operations. This will mark Shah’s first trip abroad since becoming prime minister in April.

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has arrived in Nepal for a three-day official visit. The purpose of his visit is to assess the ongoing efforts to locate missing South Korean nationals and to consult with Nepalese government officials. South Korea has dispatched a team of experts to assist in rescuing individuals trapped in hydropower project tunnels. He is the most senior foreign official to visit Nepal since the devastating August 26 flood. Nine South Koreans working on a hydropower project remain missing.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava stated that efforts are underway to rescue people trapped inside the Chilime tunnel. He noted that rescue teams continue to clear heavy debris, water, and mud, which inside the tunnel has accumulated nearly to the roof.

The Nepalese government is preparing to enact a new law to relocate settlements from high-risk zones in response to the Bhote Koshi flood. Provisions regarding the relocation of communities in vulnerable locations have been incorporated into a draft bill. However, experiences following the 2015 earthquake demonstrate that this is a challenging undertaking, as residents are often reluctant to leave their homelands due to emotional attachment. Consequently, many houses built for earthquake victims went unused as residents returned to their original lands.

The government stated that it is working to restore the normal distribution of cooking gas. Kathmandu is currently facing a shortage of LPG due to the blockade of the Prithvi Highway. With the festival season approaching, the government is under pressure to stabilize the supply chain. Concerns have been raised that a failure to ensure cooking gas supplies could force hotels and restaurants to shut down, further impacting the already fragile tourism industry. Additionally, the government faces criticism for recent price increases on cooking gas.

Efforts to install bailey bridges in flood-affected regions have been expedited. The Xizang Autonomous Region has already handed over bailey bridges to Nepal, and India is also dispatching bridge units. Nepal’s two neighbors, India and China, are providing extensive support.

Meanwhile, Nepal’s national flag has been re-hoisted at the Rasuwagadhi Nepal–China international border crossing. Following the flood, a joint team from the Armed Police Force, Nepal, and the Nepali Army navigated a hazardous route to raise the flag at the border.

Eleven days after the disaster, the Nepalese government has yet to produce a comprehensive damage assessment. Displaced residents staying in holding centers await official decisions regarding their long-term housing. In the evening, Prime Minister Balendra Shah said: “We will make your temporary stay as soon as possible and arrange safe housing for you as quickly as we can.”

He said government is standing with the flood victims. While school children remain uncertain about when their classes will resume.It remains unclear how the government will fund rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts given the current economic downturn.Despite national and international support, funding remains inadequate. The government is relying heavily on neighboring India and China for rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance, mirroring their support after the 2015 earthquake.

Kamal Dev Bhattarai, Editor 

Ten days after the flash flood, the death toll has reached 1,325, though only 96 bodies have been identified. A total of 13,093 people have been rescued, including over 300 foreign nationals. Two workers were rescued alive from a tunnel at the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project this morning. More than 5,000 people remain missing, including approximately 600 foreign nationals from 35 countries.

A total of 4,627 people are currently staying in holding centers across the Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts. According to the Nepal government, 7,570 private houses, 48 government offices, 18 schools, 7 health institutions, 55 km of roads, and 37 motorable bridges have been completely or partially damaged. Around 32,963 people have been directly affected by the flooding.

The rescue of two hydropower workers trapped inside the tunnel for nine days after the flood has revived hopes of finding more survivors. A joint team comprising the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force rescued Sanjaya Sah and Kabir Maharjan from the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project.

Search and rescue operations for those trapped inside tunnels across Langtang, Chilime, Upper Trishuli 1, Upper Trishuli 3A, Upper Trishuli 3B, and other projects continue effectively. Tunnel rescue teams from India, China, and the Republic of Korea continue to work in close coordination with the Nepali Army. Poor road conditions and adverse weather remain major challenges in transporting critical equipment to rescue sites.

International assistance continues to pour into Nepal. Countries providing aid 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, Norway, Israel, Canada, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, New Zealand, Denmark, Switzerland, Ireland, and the Czech Republic, as well as the European Union, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, the United Nations, and other organizations.

Government authorities report that they are continuing the burial of recovered bodies following necessary forensic procedures to facilitate subsequent identification and ensure mortal remains are returned to families for final rites. Forensic teams from India, China, Singapore, and South Korea have joined the Nepal Police and local authorities to accelerate DNA collection, analysis, and identification. Nepal's other urgent needs include high-capacity drones, LiDAR, Bailey bridges, epidemic prevention items, DNA testing kits, body bags, flood rescue trucks, mobile air traffic control systems, ground-penetrating radar, high-accuracy laser meters, broadband seismometers, high-capacity surge pumps, and laboratory freezers.

China stated that its meteorological authorities have been providing Nepal with weather monitoring, forecasting, early warning, and impact services since a severe mudslide struck the Gyirong–Rasuwa border crossing between China and Nepal. The administration held video weather consultations with Nepal’s meteorological department immediately following the disaster and has actively provided meteorological support for Nepal’s rescue and relief operations. Meanwhile, the Nepal government has installed a VSAT camera in Timure, Rasuwa. Residents along the river basin could not be warned in time because the hydrometric stations installed for flood forecasting were swept away.

As officials work to finalize Prime Minister Shah's agenda for the United Nations General Assembly in the third week of this month, experts suggest that the Prime Minister should raise the issue of climate justice during his UN address. However, this is not a new agenda, as Nepal has been raising this issue for a long time. Similarly, diplomatic efforts are underway to arrange a meeting with US President Donald Trump during Shah’s visit.

Following the floods, erosion by the Trishuli River caused road collapses at various points along the Prithvi Highway, a vital artery connecting Kathmandu with the western region. This is expected to impact the supply chain into Kathmandu. While alternative routes exist, navigating large trucks through these secondary highways remains difficult.

KP Sharma Oli and Gagan Kumar Thapa visited the flood-affected districts of Nuwakot and Rasuwa. Oli stated that there is a lack of government presence at the local level and accused ministers of being occupied with publicity stunts. Oli further emphasized that the Nepali Army should remain above politics and controversy.

The government announced it has initiated the process of constructing temporary housing for displaced individuals in Nuwakot and Rasuwa. Authorities plan to complete these structures before Dashain and are currently searching for suitable land for the temporary shelters.

Officials have also begun preparations to mitigate the impact of the flash flood on Nepal’s tourism industry. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Friday that the country remains open to international travelers and tourists, as only specific regions have been affected. However, as Nepal prepares to convey this message, 21 of its diplomatic missions abroad remain without heads, as ambassadorial appointments have been further delayed.

— Kamal Dev Bhattarai, Editor