On 26 August 2026, a major flash flood struck Nepal’s Rasuwa district and the surrounding Nepal-China border area, with severe impacts reported in and around the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli River corridor as well as in Kyirong, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. The sudden event brought widespread damage to communities, infrastructure and key connectivity routes, while the full extent of the impacts continues to emerge.

As information from the affected areas develops, understanding the event and its consequences will take time. This page brings together related news, stories, and knowledge materials relevant as situation unfolds.

Media Advisory

Major flash flood sweeps through Nepal’s Rasuwa district, raising fears of further downstream flooding

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From the Director General

Standing in solidarity with the tragic Kyirong-Rasuwa flash flood victims

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Media coverage

In this special episode of Good Morning Nepal on Kantipur TV HD, Cryosphere Researcher, Sunwi Maskey explores the science behind the devastating Rasuwa flood disaster and explains the mechanics of Himalayan ice avalanches. The broadcast urges national unity and support for disaster relief efforts, while advocating for long-term climate preparedness to protect mountain communities.

In this interview on NTV World, ICIMOD Geoinformation Associate Sarthak Shrestha explains that an ice-rock avalanche on the Nepali side temporarily dammed the Lhende River, triggering the massive Rasuwa flash flood. He emphasizes that addressing compounding Himalayan hazard risks requires investing in cost-effective early warning systems, resilient monitoring infrastructure, and risk-informed planning.

In this India Today report, ICIMOD expert Dr. Farooq Azam explains that a snow-and-rock avalanche linked to local seismic activity triggered the severe Nepal flash flood. The resulting debris flow travelled nearly 100 kilometres downstream, destroying critical infrastructure including villages, bridges, and hydropower projects.

In an interview segment, Qinggong Zhang, Head of Climate and Environmental Risks at ICIMOD, explains that the avalanche triggering the Rasuwa flash flood originated inside Nepali territory. Because the disaster began on the Nepali side, it fell outside the reach of the Chinese early warning system, raising questions about local monitoring and preparedness gaps.

Publications

Changing dynamics of glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region from 1990 to 2020
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HKH Glacier Outlook 2026: Understanding Change Through 50 Years of Field Observation
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Regional cryosphere strategy for the Hindu Kush Himalaya
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Thame Valley Glacial Lake Outburst Flood 2024: Causes, impacts and future risks
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Related publications

Contact

For any queries relating to the flood, email: media@icimod.org