On 26 August 2026, an ice and rock avalanche blocked a tributary near the border with Tibet, creating a natural dam that later burst, unleashing a flash flood through Nepal’s Rasuwa district. Dramatic footage filmed by the Nepal Red Cross shows floodwaters surging through the area, devastating communities along the Trishuli valley.

The flood began at around 8:40 a.m., with particularly severe damage reported in Rasuwagadhi, Timure, and Syabrubesi. Roads, bridges, markets, and hydropower facilities were either damaged or swept away. At least 19 road bridges and approximately 40 kilometers of roads were destroyed or severely damaged, disrupting the Kathmandu-Kerung trade route.

The disaster has resulted in at least 157 deaths, with hundreds more reported missing, including security personnel, hydropower workers, and foreign tourists. Rescue teams continued their search on 27 August 2026, with efforts underway in neighboring Nuwakot district where rescuers and sniffer dogs combed through mud-covered areas.

In Kathmandu, relatives of missing individuals gathered at Bir Hospital, holding photographs of their loved ones and awaiting news. The government has declared Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading as disaster crisis areas and deployed the army, police, and helicopters to assist with rescue and relief operations.

Sources