Rasuwa Flood Emergency: Government Launches Four Major Response Measures as High-Level Meetings Decide Next Steps

Kathmandu, Nepal | August 26, 2026

A Major Emergency Response Is Underway

Nepal’s government launched an emergency response on Wednesday morning after a powerful flood struck Timure, Syabrubesi and nearby areas of Rasuwa. The Nepal Army, Armed Police Force Nepal, Nepal Police, disaster authorities, district administrations and other agencies have been mobilized to protect people, carry out search and rescue work, and prepare communities farther downstream as the floodwater moves through the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems.

Four Immediate Measures Put Into Action

The response currently focuses on four major steps. Security forces have been sent into affected areas for rescue and relief work, disaster-response bodies have been activated, local administrations downstream have been instructed to move people away from dangerous riverbank areas, and helicopters have been placed on standby for emergency missions. Additional security personnel are also being moved toward affected locations where necessary.

Army Helicopters and Medical Teams Mobilized

Two Nepal Army helicopters have reached Trishuli to support search and rescue operations. An emergency medical team has also been deployed to Trishuli District Hospital, while rescue personnel from Dhunche and Trishuli and trained disaster-management personnel from Gajuri have been mobilized. Private helicopter operators have separately been instructed to remain ready if additional air support is required.

Emergency Meetings Decide What Comes Next

The response has also reached the highest levels of government. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority is holding an emergency meeting under the Home Minister to review rescue and relief operations. Prime Minister Balendra Shah has also called a meeting of the National Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management at Singha Durbar at 11:00 AM to assess the developing situation and coordinate further action.

Flood Entered Rasuwa From the Tibetan Side

Officials reported that a sudden and unusually large volume of water entered Rasuwa through the Bhote Koshi from the Tibetan side at around 9:00 AM on Wednesday. The surge caused serious damage around Timure and Syabrubesi before moving downstream toward Nuwakot. The exact trigger behind the flood was still being investigated at the time of reporting.

Communities Downstream Told to Move to Safety

The danger is not limited to Rasuwa. Authorities have issued alerts for communities along the Trishuli corridor, with warnings extending as far downstream as Mugling. People living close to rivers in vulnerable locations have been urged to leave exposed areas, move toward safer ground and follow instructions from local authorities rather than waiting for water levels to rise.

Damage Assessment Continues

Early information points to extensive damage to settlements, markets and infrastructure in the affected region, but authorities are still working to establish the full scale of the destruction. Rescue operations and damage assessments are continuing, meaning figures related to affected people, missing persons and infrastructure losses may change as information reaches authorities from harder-to-access locations.

Authorities Urge People to Follow Official Alerts

People in vulnerable areas have been asked to stay away from riverbanks, avoid unnecessary movement through risk zones and closely follow instructions issued by security agencies, district administrations and disaster authorities. With the situation still developing, official warnings and evacuation instructions remain especially important for communities located downstream.