Nepal Flash Floods: 162 Dead, 750+ Missing; States Open Helplines, Dalai Lama Offers Condolences

August 27, 2026

Dharamsala/Hyderabad/Gandhinagar: The devastating flash floods that swept through parts of Nepal and Tibet have left a trail of destruction, with 162 bodies recovered in Nepal and more than 750 people remaining out of contact, including 133 Indian nationals.

The massive flood, originating in the Tibetan region, swept through the transboundary Bhote Koshi River, causing extensive damage in Nepal’s Rasuwa district and several downstream areas.

The disaster has also prompted state governments in India to activate helplines and coordination centres to assist citizens who may be stranded or affected in Nepal.

Dalai Lama Expresses Grief Over Nepal, Tibet Floods

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Thursday said he was saddened over the devastating floods in the Rasuwa region of Nepal and Kyirong in Tibet, which resulted in loss of life and heavy structural damage.

“I am saddened to learn of the devastating floods in the Rasuwa region of Nepal and Kyirong in Tibet, resulting in loss of life and heavy structural damage. I pray for all those who have lost their lives, and offer my sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved and to all those affected by this tragedy,” the Nobel Peace Laureate said in a statement.

He said the region had witnessed calamities in the past as well and suggested that these could be symptoms of a deeper underlying cause, including climate change or other factors.

“I hope that appropriate follow-up measures will be taken, wherever possible, to help ensure that such disasters do not recur,” the elderly Buddhist monk added.

162 Bodies Recovered, Hundreds Remain Missing

Nepal Police said the bodies of 162 people swept away by the flash flood in Nepal’s Bhote Koshi River had been recovered as of Thursday morning.

The remains were recovered from riverbanks in several downstream districts along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems, including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan, Gorkha, Tanahu, Nawalparasi (East) and Nawalparasi West.

Most of the bodies were recovered in Chitwan, in Nepal’s southern plains.

The Nepali government said hundreds of people, including foreign nationals, remained out of contact.

In a statement issued late Wednesday evening, the Prime Minister’s Office said 44 Nepal Army personnel, 28 Nepal Police personnel and 13 Armed Police Force personnel deployed in the affected areas were out of contact.

Likewise, 391 foreign tourists and 93 Nepali tourists remained out of contact following the disaster. Officials have also confirmed that 133 Indians are missing.

Telangana Opens Helpline at Telangana Bhavan

The Telangana government has activated a helpline and coordination centre at Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi to provide assistance to residents of the state who may be stranded or affected in flood-hit Nepal.

The helpline was activated on the instructions of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.

The state government said Telangana Bhavan would coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs, the Embassy of India in Kathmandu and other concerned authorities to facilitate assistance to Telangana residents.

Family members unable to establish contact with relatives, pilgrims or tourists from Telangana in Nepal can contact the helpline and provide details such as the person’s name, passport details, mobile number, present or last known location in Nepal, travel or tour operator details and family contact information.

Telangana Bhavan Helpline, New Delhi:

• Vandhana, PS to Resident Commissioner and Liaison Head: 9871999044
• Ch. Chakravarthi, Public Relations Officer: 9949351270
• G. Rakshit Naik, Liaison Officer: 9618597969

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh government is also gathering information to determine whether any residents or pilgrims from the state are stranded in the disaster zone.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to identify state residents stranded in the Nepal floods and take measures to move them to safety.

A control room has been set up at Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in Delhi. The control room numbers are 011-23384016 and 011-23387089, while the WhatsApp number is 9059824101.

Gujarat Issues Emergency Helpline Numbers

The Gujarat government has also issued helpline and emergency contact numbers for citizens from the state and their family members who may have been affected by the sudden flash floods in Nepal.

Residents of Gujarat and their family members seeking information or assistance have been advised to contact the state control room at 079-232-51900 or 9978405304.

They can also contact the state helpline at 1070 or the District Emergency Operation Centre of their respective district at 1077.

The advisory comes after the flash floods swept through parts of northern and central Nepal, causing extensive damage and leaving hundreds of people missing.

The flooding around the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa district near the Tibet border washed away vehicles, bridges and other infrastructure and disrupted movement through the region.

Indian nationals have been among those affected. The Embassy of India in Kathmandu has separately issued emergency helpline numbers for Indian nationals affected by the floods. They can contact +977 985 131 6807 or +977 970 910 7500 for assistance and information.

The embassy has also been coordinating with authorities in Nepal in response to the crisis.

The sudden flooding has triggered rescue and recovery operations in affected areas, with Nepalese authorities using helicopters and other resources to search for people stranded or missing.

The disaster has also affected critical transport links and infrastructure in the mountainous region.