Nepal Flood Live Updates: PM Modi calls Nepal’s Balendra Shah, says coordinating rescue efforts closely

At least 384 travellers, including 291 foreign nationals, have ⁠been ​reported missing after torrential floods ​in the ​Tibet ⁠border area of the Himalayan ‌nation of Nepal on Wednesday, the country's ⁠tourism board ⁠said

Nepal Flood Live Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Nepal’s Prime Minister  Balendra Shah to offer condolences  on the loss of life due to flash flood in Nepal. In a post on X, PM wrote ‘People of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time”. PM further assured that India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal.

Bihar is on high alert after the flash flood in Nepal triggered by earthquake. Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhari said that a high-level team has been constituted in this matter and Chief Secretary and DGP is personally monitoring the situation.

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Early reports suggest that the flood  was caused by an earthquake triggering an avalanche with melted snow pouring into the Bhote Koshi river, as per the BBC.

At least 105 Indian nationals are among 384 tourists and travellers whose whereabouts are yet to be confirmed following a sudden flash flood in Nepal’s Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa district, according to a preliminary situation update issued by the Nepal Tourism Board on Wednesday.

The list includes 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali nationals, with Indians accounting for the largest identified group of foreign nationals. Another 37 people identified as NRIs are also listed among those whose whereabouts are being verified.

The flash flood occurred at around 8.30 am on Wednesday, after which Nepal Tourism Board officials, Tourist Police and other tourism stakeholders began efforts to verify the whereabouts and safety of tourists and travellers who were in or travelling through the affected areas.

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World · Himalayas · Factbox
Deadly disasters in the Himalayas over a dozen years
A massive flash flood has struck the Nepal-Tibet border. Reuters lists some of the region's biggest disasters of the past dozen years — a toll some analysts blame on climate change and rapid development.
Latest · Aug 26, 2026
Flash flood on the Nepal-Tibet border kills at least 9
Villages were washed away and roads, bridges and power projects damaged in the Himalayan border areas, with authorities fearing more casualties.
The past dozen years
August 2025 · Uttarakhand, India
4 deaddozens missing
Sudden flooding and landslides in the Indian state.
September 2024 · Nepal
66+ deadflooding & landslides
Persistent downpours triggered widespread flooding and landslides.
November 2023 · Uttarakhand, India
All 41 rescuedroad-tunnel cave-in
41 low-wage workers were trapped in a collapsing road tunnel and freed after 17 days. No cause was given.
October 2023 · Sikkim, India
179 deadglacial lake outburst
Torrential rain burst a glacial lake, causing devastating floods in the northeastern state.
January 2023 · Joshimath, India
~200 evacuatedtown subsidence
Cracks spread through hundreds of buildings, later demolished as unsafe. Officials blamed rapid construction.
October 2021 · Uttarakhand, India
46+ deadunseasonal rain
Heavy rain flooded roads and washed away bridges.
February 2021 · Uttarakhand, India
200+ deadDhauliganga flash flood
A flash flood swept away two hydroelectric projects, sending water, rock and debris down the valley.
September 2014 · Kashmir
~464 deadworst floods in 50 years
The Jhelum river surged in unusually heavy rain, killing about 200 Indians and 264 Pakistanis.
Reuters notes that some analysts link the rising frequency of these disasters to climate change and widespread development across the fragile mountain region.
The Aug 26, 2026 toll is provisional and may rise. Figures are as reported by Reuters; “at least” and “about” qualifiers reflect the original wire.
Source: Reuters, August 26, 2026. A developing story.
Express InfoGenIE · Global Desk
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Live Updates
Aug 26, 2026 05:10 PM IST
PM Modi calls Nepal’s Balendra Shah, says coordinating rescue efforts closely

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Nepal's Prime Minister  Balendra Shah to offer condolences  on the loss of life due to flash flood in Nepal. In a post on X, PM wrote 'People of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time". PM further assured that India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal.

Aug 26, 2026 04:52 PM IST
Nepal tourism board releases list of foreign nationals missing

According to the Nepal Tourism Board, the foreign nationals who are missing include:

* 12 British nationals

* 105 Indians

* 37 non-resident Indians

* 17 Malaysians

* 4 South Africans

* 3 Americans

* 1 Australian

* 1 Dutch

* 8 South Koreans

* 111 nationalities yet to be confirmed

Aug 26, 2026 04:49 PM IST
Flash flood caused by an earthquake triggering a landslide, says Nepal’s foreign minister

The flash flood which has devastated settlements in northern Nepal was caused by an earthquake triggering a large landslide which blocked the Bhote Koshi river, according to Nepal’s foreign minister Shishir Khanal.

“An earthquake occurred at 8:37 a.m. today, and due to it, a large landslide occurred, blocking the river, which appears to have caused the flood,” Khanal said during a meeting at the House of Representatives.

The United States Geological Survey, which records earthquakes worldwide, registered a 4.4-magnitude earthquake in the region at the same time as the one referenced by Khanal.

Aug 26, 2026 04:31 PM IST
Bihar opens all 36 Gandak Barrage gates as flood alert issued

Bihar has opened all 36 gates of the Gandak Barrage at Valmikinagar as a precautionary measure amid a flood alert in the Gandak river basin, officials said on Wednesday.

A technical team led by a superintending engineer has been dispatched from the Water Resources Department headquarters to the barrage to monitor the situation, a department official said.

Warning messages have also been issued to all districts located in the Gandak river basin. Department officials have been directed to remain on continuous alert and monitor the situation, while arrangements have been strengthened for the storage of flood-response materials and regular inspection of embankments.

The state administration has also begun preparations for a possible evacuation of people living in vulnerable areas.

The Chief Secretary convened an emergency meeting with the district magistrates concerned and directed officials to use public-address systems to alert residents living inside embankments and ensure arrangements are in place to move them to safer locations if required, another official said.

Teams of the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force are also being deployed in potentially affected areas, the official added.

(Reported by Himanshu Harsh)

Aug 26, 2026 04:13 PM IST
Bihar CM orders high alert over Nepal floods

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhari has ordered high alert as Nepal flash floods may reach to Bihar. The government has scheduled a meeting on the relief efforts. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister has also also asked officials to be on alert.

Aug 26, 2026 04:08 PM IST
Watch: Visuals from flood-affected Nuwakot district in Nepal

Visuals from the flood-affected Nuwakot district in Nepal. The swollen Bhotekoshi River tore through Nuwakot, leading to homes being swept away, families being separated, and many people still missing.

(ANI)

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Aug 26, 2026 04:04 PM IST
China's President orders all-out efforts to search and rescue missing people

Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out efforts to search for and rescue people missing after a mudslide struck villages at the China-Nepal border area in Tibet causing heavy casualties.

Aug 26, 2026 04:03 PM IST
Bihar on alert after Nepal flash floods lead to swelling of Gandak River

Special vigilance is being exercised in Bihar due to the emergence of a flash flood situation in the upper catchment area of the Gandak River in Nepal and the likelihood of a sudden surge in water flow, an official statement issued by the Disaster Management Department stated.

Disaster management authorities said all necessary preparations are being made to address the potential flood situation in districts along the Gandak River.

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