Kathmandu [Nepal], August 30 (ANI): Reinforcing the state’s commitment to relief and reconstruction, Prime Minister Balen Shah on Saturday declared that the Government of Nepal remains on high alert and will operate at full capacity until every flood-affected citizen is safe and rehabilitated following the catastrophic August 26 Bhote Koshi River floods.
In a Facebook post, he detailed an extensive, multi-agency response to the disaster that has heavily impacted downstream communities across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading, asserting that “protecting the lives of every affected citizen remains the government’s top priority.”
Addressing the immediate response efforts, Prime Minister Balen Shah highlighted the scale of search and rescue operations conducted under challenging terrain and weather conditions:Air and land operations have successfully evacuated over 7,500 people to safety, including 279 workers trapped in various hydroelectric project sites.18,708 security personnel from the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force are deployed alongside 16 helicopters (military and private), which have completed 236 rescue missions.
International experts from India and China are actively assisting on the ground.Mobile military hospitals in Dhunche and Battar–supplemented by specialist medical teams sent from Kathmandu–are treating the injured across five strategic locations, backed by a newly launched national ‘Blood Information Portal’.
To maintain morale among frontline personnel operating in high-risk zones, the Prime Minister announced an immediate increase in daily snack allowances and incentive pay for deployed security forces.Addressing logistics and civil management, PM Shah emphasised that immediate shelter and infrastructure recovery are moving in tandem.18 relief camps (3 in Rasuwa, 15 in Nuwakot) and temporary housing in public buildings are currently sheltering approximately 3,500 displaced citizens.
NPR 67.5 million has been disbursed directly to 15 local levels across five districts from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority fund to maintain essential services.Emergency crews have restored 90 Nepal Telecom and 71 Ncell towers. Critical ground routes–including the Kathmandu-Tokha-Dhunche section, the Galchhi-Malekhu stretch of the Prithvi Highway, and alternative tracks to Dhading Besi–have been reopened, reconnecting isolated districts to the national network.
Prime Minister Balen Shah stressed the need for total transparency in managing financial aid, noting that the official Prime Minister’s Relief Fund has accumulated over NPR 5.04 billion and $1.8 million USD across commercial accounts, tracked publicly via an official ‘Rescue Request Portal’. Citizens and donors were urged to contribute strictly through official government QR codes to prevent financial fraud.
International partners have pledged and delivered substantial aid: $167 million USD concessional loan (World Bank), $5 million USD grant and $150,000 USD technical aid (ADB), $500,000 USD (United States), $1 million AUD (Australia), and 1 million Swiss Francs (Switzerland via UN channels).India has delivered 57.5 tons of emergency medical and humanitarian supplies, along with 2,000 airtight body bags.
China is sending matching humanitarian aid and body bags, while Nepal has formally requested 30 Bailey bridges from Beijing to restore destroyed river crossings.Addressing the sensitive issue of casualties, PM Shah confirmed that 675 bodies have been recovered across eight districts.
Management is being conducted strictly under the Unidentified and Unclaimed Body Management Directives, 2026, ensuring DNA sampling and proper records before final rites are administered for unidentifiable victims.Closing his address, Prime Minister Balen Shah called on mass media and social media users to combat misinformation and focus on boosting community morale, reiterating that the state apparatus will remain deployed in full force until rescue and long-term reconstruction goals are fully achieved.
Flood flow in Nepal’s Bhote Koshi River rises further; NDRRMA issues alert for rescue teams
Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) on Sunday warned that the flood flow in the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa has reportedly increased further, urging personnel involved in search, rescue and relief operations to exercise utmost caution.In a post on X, NDRRMA said, “Alert: The flow of the flood in the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa has reportedly increased further.”
The authority urged all personnel engaged in search, rescue and relief operations in affected areas, including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Chitwan, as well as surrounding regions, to remain vigilant. NDRRMA further said, “Therefore, all personnel engaged in search, rescue, and relief operations in affected areas including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan, and surrounding regions, as well as those in riparian zones and other relevant parties, are requested to exercise utmost caution.”
The disaster management authority said it would continue to monitor the situation and provide further information.”We will provide updates as soon as further information is received,” NDRRMA said.
Earlier on Sunday, amid continued developments in the Himalayan region, Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) issued an urgent public safety warning following reports of a sudden increase in the roar and water flow of the Bhote Koshi River. Authorities urged residents and relief teams along downstream settlements to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.
In an official update posted on X, the NDRRMA cited alerts received from local authorities on the ground. The fresh warning affects three major downstream districts that were severely impacted by the catastrophic August 26 flash floods.Communities near the Rasuwa riverbank, including areas near the Nepal-China border, have been instructed to monitor water levels closely.
Emergency services and local administration units along the river basin have been placed on standby in Nuwakot & Dhading.Meanwhile, the death toll from the catastrophic Rasuwa Bhote Koshi flash floods has risen to 675, with emergency teams recovering bodies and human remains across multiple downstream districts, according to the latest updates released by Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).As of 6:30 pm, a total of 2,418 individuals remain missing or out of contact following the deluge.
Reinforcing the state’s commitment to relief and reconstruction, Prime Minister Balen Shah on Saturday declared that the Government of Nepal remains on high alert and will operate at full capacity until every flood-affected citizen is safe and rehabilitated following the catastrophic August 26 Bhote Koshi River floods.
Addressing the immediate response efforts, Prime Minister Balen Shah highlighted the scale of search and rescue operations conducted under challenging terrain and weather conditions. Air and land operations have successfully evacuated over 7,500 people to safety, including 279 workers trapped in various hydroelectric project sites.
18,708 security personnel from the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force are deployed alongside 16 helicopters (military and private), which have completed 236 rescue missions. International experts from India and China are actively assisting on the ground. (ANI)
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