Thursday, Aug 27, 2026 00:00 [IST]
Last Update: Wednesday, Aug 26, 2026 18:24 [IST]
KAKARVITTA,: A sudden and devastating flash flood in the Bhote Koshi River in Nepal’s Rasuwa district on Wednesday morning has triggered a major search-and-rescue operation, with hundreds of people reported missing and widespread damage reported across Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading districts.
According to the Nepal Tourism Board’s Situation Update-2 dated August 26, a preliminary list compiled from 10 tourism and travel agencies has identified 384 travellers as missing, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali nationals. The list is still being verified with travel agencies, guides, local authorities and security agencies.
Among the foreign nationals, 105 are Indian citizens, while 37 are listed as non-resident Indians (NRIs). The list also includes nationals from Australia, the Netherlands, the United States, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and South Africa.
The Tourism Board said the flash flood struck the Bhote Koshi River at around 8:30 a.m., with the surge subsequently affecting downstream areas along the Bhote Koshi–Trishuli river corridor. Rescue teams and security agencies have been mobilised to locate those missing.
Indian visitors advised to remain alert
Amid growing concern over the safety of Indian tourists and travellers, Chabilal Khatiwada, chief officer of the Kakarvitta Tourism Office, has urged Indian visitors planning to travel through Nepal to exercise caution.
Khatiwada said Indian tourists visiting Nepal are being requested to contact or visit the tourism office before proceeding with their planned tour, particularly while the situation remains uncertain in flood-affected areas.
The advisory comes as authorities continue to assess damage and verify the whereabouts of travellers along the affected routes.
Concern over Indian workers at hydropower projects
Journalist Prabin Adhikari of Kakarvitta said there are also concerns over Indian nationals working at hydropower projects in Nuwakot.
According to Adhikari, several Indian workers were employed at hydropower projects in the affected area and some are feared to be missing. He said an official figure regarding the number of missing workers or casualties has not yet been received, but the scale of destruction is alarming.
The floods have damaged roads, bridges, settlements and hydropower infrastructure. Multiple hydropower projects in the region have been affected by the disaster.
1,650-student school devastated in Nuwakot
One of the most serious concerns has emerged from Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School in Bidur, Nuwakot, where approximately 1,650 students are enrolled.
School principal Rajendra Dawadi said he is currently in contact with only around 100 students, while the whereabouts of the remaining students are not known.
The flood warning came during the school's morning prayer session. The principal said students who were present at the school were evacuated to safety, but authorities have yet to establish how many students were at school, travelling to school or still at home when the flood struck.
The school premises have reportedly been heavily damaged and turned into a debris-filled area following the flooding.
Importantly, the missing students should not yet be described as dead. Their whereabouts remain unconfirmed, and search and rescue teams are working to establish their safety. The situation remains fluid.
Casualties and rescue operation
As of the latest reports available Wednesday afternoon, multiple bodies had been recovered from the Trishuli River in Nuwakot and Dhading, while rescue operations continued across the affected districts. Reuters reported that at least nine people had died, with the toll expected to rise as access to some of the worst-hit areas remains difficult.
Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and local residents are involved in search and rescue operations. Helicopters have been deployed for rescue and medical evacuation, although high water levels and difficult conditions have hampered operations in some areas.
Authorities have urged people living and travelling along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli corridors to stay away from rivers, riverbanks, bridges and low-lying areas and to follow official safety instructions.
The Nepal Tourism Board has also advised tourists to postpone travel to affected areas until authorities confirm that conditions are safe.
Emergency contacts
Tourists and their families seeking assistance can contact:
Nepal Tourism Board emergency: 1234
Government hotline: 1144
Tourist Police: 9851289445
The Nepal Tourism Board has stressed that the list of 384 missing travellers is preliminary and is being cross-checked. Families and travellers are therefore advised to rely on official updates rather than unverified information circulating on social media.
