Nepal Issues New Flood Warning as Bhote Koshi River Levels Rise

KATHMANDU, JurnalPost.com — Nepalese authorities issued a renewed flood warning on Friday, August 28, 2026, following reports of increased water flow mixed with mud and debris in the Bhote Koshi River, Rasuwa District.

The warning was issued just two days after devastating flash floods struck the same area on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, killing hundreds and causing widespread destruction to settlements and infrastructure.

Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) stated that it had received reports of water flow carrying debris and mud increasing again in the sections of the Bhote Koshi River previously hit by the major flood.

“Water flow mixed with debris and mud has increased again today in the same area of the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa, where the major flood occurred on August 26,” the NDRRMA notice stated.

Authorities have urged all personnel involved in search, rescue, and aid distribution operations along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers to heighten their vigilance.

Residents and officials still in high-risk areas have also been instructed to move to higher, safer ground immediately if they observe rising water levels or other signs of danger.

Natural Dams Formed by Debris

The threat of secondary flooding has emerged because rocks, mud, ice, and debris from the previous disaster have dammed several water channels in the mountainous region.

This condition has created temporary or barrier lakes that could potentially release large volumes of water if these natural dams become unstable or collapse.

Satellite imagery shows water accumulating behind piles of debris in the mountainous region near the Nepal-China border.

Reuters reported on Friday that one of the lakes formed by the disaster has begun to overflow. This condition forced the temporary suspension of rescue operations in several locations, and residents were advised to move to higher ground.

Glacial Collapse Suspected as Trigger

The major flood that struck Bhote Koshi on August 26 is suspected to have been triggered by the collapse of ice and rock masses in Nepal's mountainous region.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) stated that the debris flow and flooding were likely related to a glacial collapse in the Langtang National Park area, near the Nepal-China border.

USGS seismic analysis indicates the source of the collapse was in the glaciated mountain region around Langtang Lirung.

The energy from the collapse is estimated to have generated a seismic signal equivalent to a magnitude 5.2 event, although it did not originate from a tectonic earthquake.

Initial assessments by Chinese authorities point to a similar conclusion.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said that preliminary analysis results from relevant agencies in China and Nepal indicate the disaster was triggered by a glacial collapse in the Nepalese highlands.

The collapse subsequently generated a massive flow of material that entered the river system and moved toward downstream areas.

Rising Death Toll

The number of casualties from the Bhote Koshi disaster continues to fluctuate as search operations proceed.

On Friday afternoon, the NDRRMA reported that 538 bodies had been recovered, 977 people were still missing, and 3,742 had been successfully evacuated or rescued.

In an update released later on Friday night, the death toll was reported to have risen to at least 579 people, while 1,924 people remain missing.

Casualty data remains subject to change as search operations continue in vast and difficult-to-reach areas.

The Nepalese government has deployed thousands of security personnel and rescue workers to conduct search operations, evacuate residents, and distribute aid in the affected areas.

Damaged roads and bridges, piles of debris, and the threat of secondary flooding remain major challenges for rescue teams.

Severe Infrastructure Damage

The flash floods also caused extensive damage to settlements, highways, bridges, hydroelectric power facilities, and various critical infrastructure along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems.

The Nepalese government has mobilized disaster management agencies, security forces, local governments, and health services to support rescue operations, evacuations, medical aid, and the distribution of necessities to affected residents.

Monitoring of the river flow continues as landslide material and the formation of natural lakes in the upstream areas still pose a risk of triggering further flooding.

The NDRRMA has requested that the public stay away from the banks of the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers and follow official instructions until conditions are declared safe.

Editor's Note: Casualty data is dynamic and may change as search and rescue operations continue.