Flooding devastates northern and central Nepal

Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah addressed Parliament on Wednesday, calling for "determination and courage" as the country grapples with the aftermath of the Bhotekoshi River floods that struck on August 26. The disaster, triggered by a collapse or avalanche of ice and rock near the Nepal-Tibet border, has devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal, with more than 1,100 people killed and over 4,800 reported missing, according to figures cited in the parliamentary briefing.

The floods entered Rasuwa district through the Bhotekoshi River on the morning of August 26 (Bhadra 10, 2083), rapidly affecting neighbouring areas including Nuwakot and Dhading. Shah told the House of Representatives that the disaster was not limited to the three districts but was "a shared blow to the heart of the entire country."

In his address, Shah said experts have identified the disaster as one of the largest in the region, resulting from an avalanche of snow and rock in the high Himalayas. He framed the event as a stark warning of escalating climate risks, stating: "This is a serious signal that, alongside climate change, the risks we must bear in the Himalayan region are increasing."

Prime minister links floods to climate change

Shah attributed the devastation to climate change, emphasising the global dimensions of the crisis. "This incident shows the increasing risk the people of the mountain region have to bear with the occurrence of climate change," he said. He further stated that "Climate change is a product of the whole world's contribution; mitigating and managing its effects is the shared responsibility of the global community," calling for Nepal to "present, forcefully, before the international community, the disasters we are suffering because of climate change."

The prime minister acknowledged the need for international support, saying: "There is no question about not accepting international assistance at this magnitude of crisis, and we have coordinated with the international community to receive support and assistance since the beginning." According to his briefing, Nepal has received messages of goodwill and material assistance from several countries and multilateral partners, including India, China, the United States, Japan, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, the European Union and the United Nations.

Humanitarian response and relief efforts

Shah reported that security agencies have been deployed across the affected areas, and local authorities have asked people to move to safer places. Army helicopters are involved in rescue and evacuation operations, with private helicopters on standby. Security personnel from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force were mobilised in large numbers, peaking at more than 13,000, according to figures presented to Parliament.

The government has approved financial assistance for the families of victims and declared the affected areas crisis-hit for three months. The Prime Minister's Relief Fund has collected more than NPR 7 billion, supplemented by additional foreign contributions, as reported in the parliamentary briefing. Injured individuals are receiving free medical treatment, and food and shelter are being arranged for those displaced. Temporary shelters now house 2,653 people at 19 sites in Nuwakot.

The prime minister said local and provincial authorities are working together to restore electricity, water supply and transport links. Telecommunications have been restored to 95 per cent of the affected area, while electricity restoration varies by district.

Casualties and missing persons

According to Nepal Police, as of the latest district-wise tallies, 348 bodies have been recovered from Chitwan, 217 from Nawalparasi East, 190 from Nawalparasi West, 155 from Nuwakot, 66 from Gorkha, 59 from Dhading, 45 from Rasuwa and 38 from Tanahu. Overall figures reported to Parliament indicate that 1,114 bodies have been recovered, of which 95 have been identified and handed over to families, with 1,127 bodies recovered according to Nepali Police figures.

A total of 11,993 people have been rescued, and 3,916 remain out of contact. Of 292 injured people admitted to hospitals, 182 have been discharged. Search efforts for the missing continue, and unidentified bodies are being managed scientifically, with DNA samples preserved.

Infrastructure damage and restoration

The disaster has caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure. Eight operating hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 281 MW and four under construction with a capacity of 388 MW were damaged, disrupting generation capacity. Major sections of the Galchhi-Betrawati-Rasuwagadhi road and the Prithvi Highway were destroyed or heavily damaged, along with 48 suspension bridges and 31 motorable bridges.

In his address, Shah said the country's leadership must "provide courage, support and reassurance, not tears," adding: "We have no alternative but to fight with determination and courage, and we are fighting."