Nepal Floods Leave Hundreds Dead as Rescue Efforts Continue

Kathmandu, the capital and largest city of Nepal, has been impacted by devastating floods that began Wednesday, Aug. 26. Catastrophic flash flooding and mudslides struck the northern and central parts of Nepal, with some of the hardest-hit areas located in the Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading districts.

Nepal’s disaster agency said Sunday that 788 people had died and 2,502 remained missing after flooding and mudslides swept through the country (Milko, 2026). Scientists believe a large section of a glacier broke off, causing a massive rock and ice avalanche that temporarily blocked a river. The surge resulted in sending debris and water rushing downstream, causing river levels to rise as much as 9 meters within 30 minutes in some areas.

About 10,000 Nepali troops have been deployed to assist with rescue and recovery efforts in the communities. Specialized rescue teams from China and India are also assisting authorities, specifically at hydropower facilities where workers are believed to be trapped inside tunnels.

Rescue efforts have been complicated by damaged roads, heavy debris and continued flooding. At one of the hydropower projects, rescuers have been working to clear debris from a tunnel where about 350 people are believed to be trapped. On Sunday, rescue crews reached the entrance to one of the tunnels and are helping those who are stuck inside (Bajracharya, 2026).

Authorities are also warning residents about the possibility of further flooding. Nepal’s disaster agency and Flood Forecasting Division issued alerts Sunday for residents in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading after the water levels increased in the Bhoteskoshi River.

Chinese authorities warned that the water flow upstream was increasing. The flooding has caused widespread damage to homes, roads, bridges and power infrastructure.

Communities in affected areas are beginning to return to their homes to search for personal belongings and assess the damage that has struck their communities. The disaster has also disrupted education for students in the areas.

At least 69 schools have been destroyed or damaged, affecting nearly 19,000 children, according to Save the Children. Educational institutions have been temporarily closed by order of the Nepali government. University exams have also been temporarily suspended because of the potential risks of the disaster.

Scientists say the disaster also points to the growing risks associated with the warm temperatures in the Himalayan region. While it is too early to determine that climate change directly caused this specific flood, researchers say rising temperatures can contribute to the glacial melting and instability, which can increase the potential for these glacier-related floods and landslides (Associated Press, 2026).