Devastating Flash Floods Strike Nepal, 8 Killed
A devastating flash flood has struck northern Nepal, sweeping away local villages. At least eight people were killed in the flash flood.
The flash flood, accompanied by mud, damaged roads, bridges and a power plant project in the Himalayan nation. Severe damage was reported in areas of Nepal close to Tibet.
Nepalese authorities, as reported by Reuters on Wednesday (26/8/2026), deployed several helicopters for rescue operations on Wednesday (26/8) local time. The Syapru Besi and Timure areas in the mountainous Rasuwa district, which has a population of 50,000, were the worst affected.
However, local officials said the height of the floodwaters prevented helicopters from landing.
Nepalese authorities warned of the risk of many more casualties from the flash flood.
“There is a possibility of many casualties or property losses. However, I cannot confirm it at this time,” local district administrator Narendra Piyar told Reuters.
He urged residents living along the banks of the Bhote Koshi River in the area to evacuate to higher ground, citing reports that nearby villages and infrastructure project sites had been swept away by the flood.
“Everything happened suddenly,” said an eyewitness at the flood site, as quoted by the Onlinekhabar portal. “We heard a loud sound, like a volcanic eruption. People started screaming and running to save themselves,” he said.
Nepalese military spokesman Raja Ram Basnet said rescue helicopters would not be able to land in the affected areas until the floodwaters receded.
Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah said police and military personnel had joined the rescue and aid distribution teams.
“Instructions have been given… to move people living in low-lying areas to safer places. Communities along the river flow are urged to be more careful and remain vigilant,” Shah said.
The cause of the flash flood is not yet known for certain. However, the deadly disaster occurred on the same river hit by a flash flood last year, which was known to have been caused by the draining of a glacial lake.
The impact of the flash flood was also reported in Tibet, across the border from Nepal. Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported “many casualties” and several people missing in the Gyirong area after a landslide struck the overland crossing between China and Nepal.
According to the Xinhua report, the landslide affected China’s Gyirong port, as well as cutting off road access, communication networks and electricity in the Shigatse area bordering Nepal.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “all-out” search efforts for the missing victims, and for strengthening monitoring and early warning systems to prevent further disasters.