Nepal rescues more than 323 foreign nationals after devastating floods

Monday 31 August 2026 - 15:02

By: Azzat Manal

Nepal rescues more than 323 foreign nationals after devastating floods

Nepalese authorities have rescued more than 10,000 people from areas affected by severe flooding, including more than 323 foreign nationals, according to the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In a statement, the ministry said rescue teams had evacuated thousands of people from areas hit by the disaster, while efforts were continuing to assist foreign nationals and determine the whereabouts of those still unaccounted for.

The ministry reported that around 590 foreign citizens from 39 countries remained missing following the floods, highlighting the scale of the emergency and the difficulties facing rescue operations in some of the most severely affected areas.

The flooding struck northern parts of Nepal after a powerful surge of water entered the Bhote Koshi River from the direction of China. The disaster was reportedly compounded by an earthquake and a resulting landslide, which disrupted infrastructure and contributed to the destruction in several locations.

The floods caused widespread damage to roads, bridges and energy facilities, leaving some communities isolated and complicating efforts to reach people in affected areas. Hydropower installations were among the sites impacted by the disaster, with hundreds of people reportedly stranded at damaged facilities.

Local media have reported a death toll of around 919 people, although figures may continue to change as rescue teams gain access to areas that remain difficult to reach.

The presence of hundreds of foreign nationals among those affected has added another dimension to the emergency, prompting diplomatic authorities to coordinate with foreign governments and assist in identifying missing citizens.

Rescue teams and government agencies are continuing to search for missing people while providing emergency assistance to survivors. The authorities are also assessing the damage to critical infrastructure as communities begin dealing with the aftermath of the floods.

The disaster underscores Nepal’s vulnerability to floods, landslides and other natural hazards, particularly in mountainous regions where difficult terrain can make emergency response operations especially challenging.