Bhotekoshi floods: 11,993 people rescued, 4,216 reported missing

KATHMANDU: A total of 11,993 people have been rescued after catastrophic flooding along Bhotekoshi River, while 4,216 individuals remained unaccounted for as of Wednesday evening. The death toll has reached 1,204.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has prioritised locating the missing alongside ongoing relief and emergency efforts. NDRRMA Spokesperson Shanti Mahat said 21,314 security personnel have been deployed across the impacted regions, including 9,199 personnel of the Nepal Army, 7,912 from the Nepal Police and 4,203 from the Armed Police Force, Nepal (APF Nepal).

Air operations have been a critical component of the response. The Nepal Army has completed 690 air sorties to date, including 80 on Wednesday alone, airlifting 4,991 Nepali citizens and 273 foreign nationals to safety. Private sector operators have additionally conducted 29 flights to support evacuation and relief efforts.

A view of the Syafrubesi market area, a major commercial and tourist centre in Rasuwa, after flooding of the Bhotekoshi River on August 26 turned it into a riverbed, photographed on Thursday, September 3, 2026, Photo: RSS

A view of the Syafrubesi market area, a major commercial and tourist centre in Rasuwa, after flooding of the Bhotekoshi River on August 26 turned it into a riverbed, photographed on Thursday, September 3, 2026, Photo: RSS

A view of the Syafrubesi market area, a major commercial and tourist centre in Rasuwa, after flooding of the Bhotekoshi River on August 26 turned it into a riverbed, photographed on Thursday, September 3, 2026, Photo: RSS

A view of the Syafrubesi market area, a major commercial and tourist centre in Rasuwa, after flooding of the Bhotekoshi River on August 26 turned it into a riverbed, photographed on Thursday, September 3, 2026, Photo: RSS

A view of the Syafrubesi market area, a major commercial and tourist centre in Rasuwa, after flooding of the Bhotekoshi River on August 26 turned it into a riverbed, photographed on Thursday, September 3, 2026, Photo: RSS

A view of the Syafrubesi market area, a major commercial and tourist centre in Rasuwa, after flooding of the Bhotekoshi River on August 26 turned it into a riverbed, photographed on Thursday, September 3, 2026, Photo: RSS

The flooding has severely affected multiple districts, including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Nawalpur, Parasi, Tanahun and Chitwan. According to official records, recovered bodies include 348 in Chitwan, 217 in Nawalpur, 202 in Parasi, 155 in Nuwakot, 115 in Rasuwa, 69 in Gorkha, 60 in Dhading and 38 in Tanahun.

Concerns remain high for thousands who remain uncontacted across the affected districts. Those missing include 1,558 residents from Nuwakot, approximately 865 from Rasuwa, 583 foreign nationals and 164 Nepalis who were travelling with tourists. Around 900 hydropower project workers, 32 local government staff, 14 customs officials, seven local representatives, three immigration officers, three Langtang National Park employees, three quarantine office personnel and one private school staff member are also currently out of contact.

Rescue teams are actively searching riverbanks, flood-hit communities, damaged roads and landslide sites, but extensive destruction to local infrastructure and road networks continues to present severe logistical challenges to search operations.

Government agencies are delivering essential aid, food, medicines and medical supplies to the impacted areas. Security personnel, local authorities and partner organisations are intensifying search and emergency operations to reach communities isolated by the catastrophe.

By RSS