Nuwakot: A drone photo taken on Aug. 27, 2026 shows a view of a massive flash flood-hit Nuwakot, Nepal. (Photo: Xinhua via IANS)
Kathmandu, August 30 (IANS) Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said that 675 bodies had been recovered from mudslide-hit areas, with 2,498 people still missing.
According to Nepal's Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, a total of 753 tourists had lost contact as of 17:30 local time on Saturday, including 589 foreign nationals.
Kathmandu District Administrative Office issued an urgent notice on Saturday, calling on various associations, institutions, enterprises and individuals in Kathmandu to donate relief supplies to assist the victims in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading districts, Xinhua news agency reported.
The floods, triggered by a sudden surge in the Bhote Koshi River, caused widespread loss of life and extensive damage to hydropower projects, roads, bridges and other infrastructure in the affected areas.
Meanhwile, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Saturday said that a 4th flight from India with an additional 11 tonnes of assistance has been dispatched to Nepal in a C-130 aircraft, as the Himalayan Nation was hit with devastating floods.
“The 4th flight from India with 11 tonnes of assistance is now airborne. The C-130 aircraft is carrying: A Tunnel technical contingent along with equipment for search & rescue operations. A team of forensic experts for DNA analysis along with Forensic equipment. Relief supplies, including blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulin, plastic sheets and hygiene kits,” EAM Jaishankar stated on X.
He noted that 16 trucks carrying equipment for a 230-foot Single Lane Modular Steel Bridge have reached Nepal, and Equipment for installation of seven more Bailey bridges will be supplied soon.
According to him, technical teams for their installation are expected to reach shortly. So far, a total of 68.5 tonnes of relief material comprising essential medicines, portable generator sets, food packets, water purification tablets and technical equipment have been airlifted to Kathmandu.
“Our support to the relief and rescue efforts of Nepal continues,” he added.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), on Wednesday, an Indian Air Force (IAF) C-130J Hercules airlifted 10 tonnes of emergency relief material such as temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps, and medicines.
Nepal issues fresh flood warning as Bhote Koshi water level rises
Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has issued a fresh flood warning, saying the flood level in the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa has risen further.
"All those engaged in search, rescue and relief operations in affected areas, including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Chitwan districts, those staying along the riversides, and all other concerned are requested to remain alert," the authority said in a notice on Sunday morning.
According to the Flood Forecasting Division under the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the water level in the Trishuli River, downstream of Bhotekoshi in the Galchhi area of Dhading district, has risen 3 metres above usual levels.
Earlier on August 26, the flood was recorded above 14 metres in Dhading, according to the Flood Forecasting Division.
The rise in the Trishuli River's water level has been caused by flooding from the Bhote Koshi area of Rasuwa.
"There is not much risk as people have already moved away from the riverside areas," an official of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said.
The NDRRMA has been consistently warning about the possibility of another heavy flood because the Lhende Khola, a tributary of the Bhotekoshi River, has been obstructed.
"Based on a preliminary analysis of a satellite image taken at 11:44 a.m. on August 27, 2026, it appears that the flow of the Lhende Khola has been obstructed in an upstream area approximately 18 kilometres from the Rasuwagadhi border point, resulting in the formation of a lake covering approximately 0.11 square kilometres," the authority said in a statement late Saturday.
"As there remains a risk that the natural dam holding back the lake could burst, potentially triggering another major flood, residents in downstream areas and all concerned are requested to remain alert and exercise extreme caution."
The authority also said a preliminary assessment indicates that additional lakes may have formed in the area.
Meanwhile, the authority said the massive flood on August 26 has so far claimed 675 lives, while 2,498 people remain out of contact, including 589 foreigners.
