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Flooding in Nepal: What You Need to Know
Learn about the flash floods that devastated the Himalayan country on August 26, and how International Medical Corps is helping those affected.
On the morning of August 26, a glacial collapse near the Nepal–China border sent powerful flash floods and mudslides along a 72-kilometer stretch of the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers in Nepal, devastating dozens of villages and sweeping away homes, roads, bridges and power plants. At least 1,250 people have been confirmed dead, while thousands remain missing—numbers that are likely to go up as search-and-recovery operations continue.
The impact of the collapse was so strong that it triggered a 5.2-magnitude tremor. Later analysis revealed that the tremor was not an earthquake, but was in fact seismic energy generated by the collapse of glacial rock and ice, followed by debris flow.
Why Were the Floods So Devastating?
The glacier collapse triggered a chain reaction of events. When the large chunk of ice crashed into the river valley below, it pushed huge amounts of water, ice, mud and rocks into the river, creating a massive and powerful surge that moved downhill rapidly, carrying with it sediment, boulders and trees. As the flood traveled downstream through Nepal, it swept away everything in its path—people, homes, roads, bridges and more.
Which Are the Worst-hit Areas?
The water surge destroyed the Gyirong checkpoint at the Nepal-China border. As the waters rushed downstream, many districts in central Nepal—including Chitwan, Dhading, Nuwakot and Rasuwa—were affected. Rasuwa, with several hydropower projects and a population of about 50,000, was the hardest hit.
Floods in Nepal: 1980–2026
Nepal has witnessed many floods since the 1980s, mainly due to heavy monsoon rains and landslides. The Bhote Koshi-Trishuli flood of August 2026 is one of the country’s deadliest in recent decades. Here’s a list of some of the other devastating floods in Nepal:
| Year | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 1989 | Relentless monsoon rain caused widespread flooding, killing at least 700 people. |
| 1993 | Monsoon floods and landslides killed more than 1,300 people and affected more than 85,000 families. |
| 2002 | Floods and landslides claimed more than 400 lives and affected nearly 40,000 families. |
| 2024 | Heavy monsoon rainfall triggered floods and landslides across the country, killing more than 200 people. |
| 2026 | Powerful flash floods swept through the Nepal–China border, rushing downstream through Nepal’s Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers. At least 1,250 people have died and thousands remain missing. |
What Is the Extent of Damage from the Current Flood?
The floods have caused extensive damage to roads, bridges, homes and power infrastructure, complicating relief and rescue work as humanitarian responders struggle to reach cut-off communities. Nepali authorities estimate that about 20,000 houses in flood-affected areas will need rebuilding. Many of the houses that were left standing are no longer habitable, as they’re filled with mud and debris.
What Are the Urgent Humanitarian Needs?
Thousands of flood-affected people have lost their homes and livelihoods. They urgently need medicines, medical supplies, food, clean water and hygiene materials, as well as psychosocial support.
Has International Medical Corps Responded in Nepal Before?
Yes. We were one of the first humanitarian organizations to respond in Nepal following a deadly 7.8-magnitude earthquake in April 2015. Our Emergency Response Team deployed mobile medical units to some of the hardest-hit locations, providing lifesaving medical care within 48 hours of the disaster. Our teams worked closely with local and international partners to provide medical treatment and supplies, as well as other emergency services, to those affected.
What is International Medical Corps Doing to Help Now?
We are leveraging established relationships in the country to respond through a network of trusted local partners already operating in affected areas, delivering health, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) assistance, as well as critically needed non-food items (NFIs), to communities affected by the floods. We are supporting local organizations in their efforts to procure and distribute essential medicines, medical equipment and medical supplies to three health facilities in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts serving an estimated 310,000 people.
Where service gaps are identified or significant increases in patient caseloads are reported, International Medical Corps will support the establishment of temporary consultation and treatment spaces by procuring infrastructure supplies and equipment such as medical tents, room-divider systems, flooring solutions, insulation materials and other equipment required to enable health facilities to safely and effectively meet increased patient demand. In addition, International Medical Corps will work with local partners to mobilize qualified healthcare providers and deploy mobile health teams to deliver essential health services to hard-to-reach and isolated communities.
International Medical Corps will also coordinate with local partners to provide essential WASH support to affected families, including hygiene kits, dignity kits, water storage and purification supplies while supporting the construction of emergency latrines. We are working with partners to provide essential emergency shelter and materials, such as heavy-duty tarps, rope, waterproof ground sheets and shelter-repair sets, as well as such NFIs as sheets and blankets, mattresses and sleeping mats, mosquito nets, towels, LPG cylinders for gas and cooking purposes, cooking utensils, solar-powered lights and phone chargers, and clothing—enabling affected households to meet their immediate needs.
Together, these interventions will help restore access to critical healthcare services and meet the urgent needs of flood-affected families.
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