A powerful flash flood along the Bhote Koshi River has devastated settlements and infrastructure in northern Nepal. Hundreds remain unaccounted for, including 105 Indians travelling in the border region.
BY PC Bureau
August 26, 2026: The search for 105 Indian nationals missing after a devastating flash flood in northern Nepal has become a major focus of rescue operations, with hundreds of travellers still unaccounted for following a sudden surge of floodwaters from the Tibetan side of the border.
At least 16 people have died and 384 travellers are reported missing from the affected region, according to the Nepal Tourism Board. Of those missing, 291 are foreign nationals, including 105 Indians, while 93 are Nepali citizens. Authorities are working to verify the lists as communications remain disrupted in several flood-hit areas.
The flood swept through parts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading districts along the Bhote Koshi River on Wednesday, sending torrents of muddy water through mountain settlements. Villages, roads, bridges, vehicles and other infrastructure were damaged or washed away, while several highways were closed.
A horrific scene of severe flooding at the Rasuwagadhi border point on the Nepal-Tibet border.
The strong currents wreaked havoc across the area, leaving 400 pilgrims and 105 Indian tourists also missing in the Nepal floods.#NepalFloods #Nepal #Rasuwa #FlashFlood #Floods pic.twitter.com/dwAX12Gj7l— Ravi Pandey🇮🇳 (@ravipandey2643) August 26, 2026
The large number of missing Indian nationals has triggered concern in India, particularly because the affected area lies on a major route used by travellers heading towards Tibet. Families and travel operators are awaiting information as Nepalese authorities try to establish contact with people who may have been stranded or moved to safer locations.
READ: Nepal: Deadly Flash Flood Kills 8, 41 Security Personnel Missing
Nepal News, citing Central Police Spokesperson Deputy Inspector General Abinarayan Kafle, reported that eight bodies have so far been recovered from Nuwakot and Dhading. Officials have cautioned that the toll could rise as rescue teams reach areas that remain inaccessible.
The disaster has also left security personnel missing. At least 26 Nepal Police personnel remain unaccounted for in Rasuwa, while the Armed Police Force has reported seven missing. Authorities are checking whether some people listed as missing have reached safe locations but remain out of contact because of the communication breakdown.
Nepal Flash Flood Update 🇳🇵
According to Nepali media reports, 32 police personnel, 25 pilgrims, and many others are currently reported missing, meaning contact with them has been lost. Helicopters have rescued 12 people so far. Several hydropower projects have also been swept… pic.twitter.com/QDLxmdFxg4
— Manjeet Negi (@manjeetnegilive) August 26, 2026
The Nepal Army has deployed helicopters and disaster-response teams to the affected region to search for survivors and assess the damage. Difficult terrain, destroyed roads and continuing access problems are slowing the rescue effort.
Nepal Police spokesman Abi Narayan Kafle said authorities did not yet know the full extent of the destruction but warned that the flood could have affected numerous settlements. People living near rivers have been advised to evacuate to safer areas, while emergency agencies have been ordered to use all available resources.
Videos released by Nepal Police showed powerful torrents of muddy water rushing through mountain valleys and sweeping across roads and infrastructure near the Tibet border, giving a glimpse of the force of the flooding.
Hydropower Projects Damaged
The disaster has also inflicted major damage on Nepal’s power infrastructure. The Nepal Electricity Authority said at least six facilities, including the Rasuwagadhi, Chilime and Trishuli hydropower projects and the Trishuli 3B Hub 220 kV substation, were affected.
The authority said electricity generation, transmission and distribution had been disrupted in the region, further complicating rescue and relief operations.
Search for Missing Indians Intensifies
Prime Minister Balendra Shah has convened an emergency meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, while the government has mobilised medical teams, security forces, scouts and the Red Cross for rescue and relief work.
For Indian authorities and families, however, the immediate priority is to determine the fate of the 105 Indians listed among the missing. Their whereabouts remain unclear, and the figure could change as Nepalese officials reconcile information from tourism agencies, security forces and local authorities.
The flash flood has underscored the dangers faced by travellers in the Himalayan region during the monsoon, when intense rainfall and sudden high-altitude events can cause rivers to rise with little warning. With rescue teams still struggling to reach some affected areas, officials have warned that the final toll and number of missing could rise as the scale of the disaster becomes clearer.
