KATHMANDU, Aug 28: A total of 13,295 security personnel, 15 helicopters and thematic emergency coordination teams from various agencies have been mobilized for search and rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts following the Bhotekoshi flood in Rasuwa.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), releasing an update as of 8:30 am today, said 12 thematic emergency coordination teams have been formed and mobilized for search and rescue, health services, restoration of communications and electricity, road operations, relief distribution, international assistance and information management in the flood-affected areas.
According to the authority, 15 helicopters—six operated by the Nepali Army and nine by private companies—have been deployed for rescue and relief operations. A large number of security personnel from the Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force (APF) have also been mobilized for ground and aerial rescue operations. According to the latest rescue figures, 3,253 people have been rescued so far.
To intensify search and rescue operations in the flood-affected areas, 7,250 Nepal Police personnel, 4,200 Nepali Army personnel and 1,845 Armed Police Force personnel, totaling 13,295, have been deployed.
Flood triggered by falling ice and rock
According to the NDRRMA, an ice-and-rock mass covering an area of around one square kilometer fell in the northern area of the Lhende Khola near the Nepal-China border on August 26th, 2026. The incident generated a major ground disturbance, producing a seismic signal equivalent to a magnitude 5.2 earthquake, according to the authority.
The fall of the ice and rock mass triggered severe flooding in the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river valleys, causing widespread damage, the authority said.
Immediate priorities in the affected areas include search and rescue, emergency health services, restoration of communications and electricity, reopening road networks, relief distribution, international assistance and information management.
73 injured, receiving treatment
According to the NDRRMA, 73 people have been injured in the disaster so far and are receiving treatment at various hospitals.
977 people missing
The authority said 977 people remain unaccounted for. As of 8:30 am today, 469 bodies had been recovered.
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Of the recovered bodies, 33 were found in Dhading, 37 in Nuwakot, 12 in Rasuwa, 44 in Gorkha, 110 in Nawalparasi East, 27 in Nawalparasi West, 28 in Tanahun and 178 in Chitwan.
Among the 977 people reported missing are 28 Nepal Police personnel, 45 Nepali Army personnel, 13 APF personnel, 15 Customs Office employees, four Immigration Office employees and 161 people from Rasuwa.
The report said 517 foreign nationals are among those missing. It also said 127 Nepali citizens, including those visiting Nepal and those living abroad, remain unaccounted for.
Equipment deployed to reopen roads
Equipment has been deployed at various locations to clear roads blocked by the floods. The obstruction at Devighat has already been cleared.
Equipment has also been deployed to clear blockages along the Galchhi-Bidur-Trishuli and Baireni-Mugling road sections.
One hill excavator, one loader and one tipper have been deployed along the Dhunche-Grang road section. Similarly, three heavy machines have been deployed along the Bidur-Trishuli-Dhunge section.
One backhoe has been deployed along the Baireni-Mugling section, while preparations are underway to add another wheel loader from the Nuwakot Road Division.
To make road clearance operations more effective, two heavy machines under the Department of Roads have been kept on standby in Kathmandu. One machine each has also been stationed at the Mulkot and Dumre (Khaireni) Road Divisions. In addition, nine heavy machines and four tippers have been kept on standby in Janakpur, according to the authority.
Immediate relief sent to three districts
The government has sent Rs 10 million to Rasuwa, Rs 10 million to Nuwakot and Rs 5 million to Dhading, totaling Rs 25 million, for immediate relief distribution.
Relief materials have also been sent from Kathmandu and other areas to the affected regions. Food, water, tarpaulins, blankets, sleeping materials, solar lamps, generators, power banks, sanitation and health-related supplies are being distributed to affected families.
According to the authority, relief supplies sent to the affected areas include 500 mosquito nets, 4,200 20-liter buckets, 1,000 children's dignity kits, 100 white tarpaulins, 150 sleeping bags, 100 mattresses, 700 blankets, 500 plastic sheets, 100 rolls of rope, 1,000 solar lamps, 500 solar lamp panels, one 30-kVA generator, power banks, around 200 tents, two portable generators, 2,120 period panties and 90 body bags.
Preparations to ensure fuel supply
The NDRRMA said 41,000 liters of diesel and 24,000 liters of petrol are currently in stock at Bhairavi, Suryamati and Panchakanya oil stores in Nuwakot.
12 thematic emergency coordination teams mobilized
Twelve thematic emergency coordination teams have been formed to coordinate and make the flood response more effective. The teams cover areas ranging from search, rescue and evacuation to communications, electricity, health, body management, international assistance, transportation, damage assessment, relief and air operations.
The Search, Rescue and Evacuation Team comprises the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and NDRRMA.
The Emergency Health and Medical Response Team comprises the Ministry of Health and Population, Nepali Army and Ministry of Home Affairs. The Body Management Team includes the Ministry of Health and Food Safety, Armed Police Force, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.
The International Assistance and Donor Coordination Team comprises the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Social Welfare Council, Nepali Army and Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Transport and Road Connectivity Team includes the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Department of Roads, Nepali Army, Road Board Nepal, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Transport Entrepreneurs, Nepal Police and NDRRMA.
The Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment Team comprises the National Planning Commission, NDRRMA and National Statistics Office.
The Missing Persons and Family Assistance Team comprises NDRRMA, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and Nepali Army.
The Relief, including food, water and essential supplies, Management Team comprises NDRRMA and agencies responsible for health and food safety.
Similarly, the Airport and Air Operations Coordination Team comprises the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Nepali Army, private airlines and Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Ministry of Home Affairs and assistant chief district officers of Nuwakot and Rasuwa have been assigned responsibility for publishing the names of people rescued safely, those missing and the deceased. A tracking system has also been established through the Setu app to collect information and locate missing persons.
The Emergency Communication Restoration Team comprises the Ministry of Information and Communication, Ministry of Home Affairs, Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Nepal Telecommunications Authority, Nepal Telecom and Ncell. The team will work to restore communications infrastructure damaged by the floods and maintain emergency communication services.
The Electricity Restoration and Backup Power Team comprises the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Nepal Electricity Authority, Nepal Oil Corporation, Nepal Police and Ministry of Home Affairs. The team has been mobilized to restore electricity supply and arrange alternative power sources where necessary in the affected areas.
Risk of further flooding remains
The authority has warned that although the immediate impact of the Bhotekoshi flood is subsiding, the risk of another major flood remains.
According to the authority, a preliminary analysis of a satellite image taken at 11:44 am on August 27th shows that the flow of the Lhende Khola has been obstructed, forming a lake approximately 18 kilometers upstream from the Rasuwagadhi border crossing.
The authority has warned that a major flood could occur again if the natural dam holding the lake breaks. It has urged residents in downstream areas and all concerned to remain alert and exercise extreme caution.
A preliminary assessment suggests that there could be additional lakes in the area. Therefore, residents living downstream of the Lhende Khola, Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers have been urged to continuously monitor river levels and flows and remain attentive to information issued by the authorities.
