Fourth Press Briefing on Bhote Koshi Flood

Press Briefing on Bhote Koshi Flood

(Tuesday, 2:00 PM, 1 September 2026)

No. 4

Friends from the media, both present here and those following us through various channels,

We welcome you to the fourth daily press briefing on the Bhote Koshi floods.

Today as we enter the seventh day since the catastrophic floods, I will provide some more updates on the ongoing search, rescue and relief operations, the assistance being received from our international partners, and some other related matters.

As we have stated, our immediate national priority remains clear: to save lives, locate those who are missing, rescue survivors, provide urgent relief, and ensure that all affected people, both Nepali and foreign nationals, appropriate assistance and support.

The Government of Nepal continues to mobilise all available resources for this purpose. Our security agencies, government authorities at different levels, medical and emergency response teams, and other relevant agencies are working together in the affected areas.

A unified force of more than 21,000 personnel from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force is currently engaged in search, rescue, evacuation and relief operations across the affected areas.

At the same time, we continue to coordinate closely with our immediate neighbours and the wider international community to identify and mobilise specific expertise, equipment and resources required for the ongoing rescue and relief operations.

As of the latest available information, 1010 bodies have been recovered, around 4 thousand people still remain unaccounted for, and more than 11,800 people have been rescued so far, including around 324 foreign nationals, including 5 who are in contact. Approximately 590 foreign nationals from 39 countries remain missing. These figures continue to be updated as search and verification operations progress.

I would therefore once again urge everyone, including our media friends, to rely on officially verified information and avoid reporting unconfirmed figures or reports. Updated information will continue to be made available through the relevant government agencies, particularly NDRRMA, Nepal Police and the Nepal Tourism Board.

Many foreign nationals remain among those missing or affected by the disaster.

The Ministry's Emergency Control Room continues to coordinate closely with relevant agencies, our diplomatic missions and the families of missing foreign nationals.

Our missions abroad are also facilitating the exchange of verified information, communication with families, and, where necessary, identification and repatriation procedures.

We remain in close contact with the countries concerned and are committed to providing all necessary consular assistance.

The search and rescue operation is continued by our agencies and security forces, with specialised international support in specific areas of expertise.

Specialised tunnel rescue teams from India (24 personnel in two teams) and China (9 personnel) are mobilised at the affected hydropower sites. A team from Republic of Korea is also here.

The Indian tunnel rescue teams are working closely with the Nepali Army at the Chilime and Langtang hydropower sites, while a Chinese team is working in coordination with the Nepali Army at the Upper Trishuli 3A project site.

We have also received specialised equipment for the management and preservation of mortal remains. An 19-member forensic team from India specialising in DNA analysis continues to work with the concerned Nepali authorities since 29 August. A forensic team of 4 people is arriving from China this evening.

Coordination is also underway to mobilise a Disaster Victim Identification team from Singapore. We have also requested for the supply of LiDAR, belly bridges, freezers, DNA testing kits, load carriers, bags for human remains, high-capacity drones, gene sequencer and other items.

We are grateful to India, China, Japan, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Korea and other countries and partners for extending specific and timely assistance for the rescue and relief operations.

Relief and humanitarian assistance continue to be provided in the affected areas.

Relief materials have already been received from a number of countries, while additional supplies and assistance are being mobilised from other partners.

We are also receiving offers of financial assistance from different countries and partners. We deeply appreciate this solidarity and support.

At the same time, our approach remains to assess specific requirements on the ground and seek assistance that corresponds to those needs and priorities.

The scale and extent of the damage caused by this disaster are becoming increasingly clear as access has improved and more details are now available.

The scale of damage is currently being assessed by the concerned authorities, including the damage to houses, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other critical infrastructure.

A more comprehensive assessment, including through the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), will provide a clearer picture of the overall damage, losses and recovery needs.

More information will become available as these assessments progress.

Given the magnitude of the destruction, Nepal anticipates requiring substantial international support during the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase.

As the assessment becomes clearer, the Government will communicate specific requirements through established official channels.

The Government continues close coordination at the highest levels, both domestically and with our neighbours and international partners.

The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister remains deeply engaged in monitoring and supervising the overall response. He received a telephone call from the Japanese Prime Minster just a while ago.

The Hon. Minister for Foreign Affairs has been in contact with counterparts and senior dignitaries from a number of countries, while our diplomatic missions continue to facilitate international coordination and assistance. The Foreign Minister had telephone talks with his counterparts from Japan, Qatar, Singapore and Malaysia yesterday and with Canada is scheduled for later today.

These engagements reflect Nepal's effort to ensure that where specific expertise, technology, equipment or other assistance is required, it can be mobilised in a timely and effective manner.

I would also like to reiterate that, in view of the difficult circumstances and the increasing number of recovered mortal remains, the concerned authorities are following established protocols for their management and identification.

Where remains cannot be immediately identified or safely preserved, temporary burial has been carried out after the necessary forensic procedures, including the collection of DNA samples.

The process is designed to facilitate identification at a later stage and enable families to receive the mortal remains of their loved ones for final rites once identification is established.

For this purpose, immediate family members of those missing are requested to contact Nepal Police Hospital, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu or nearest District Police Office in Nepal.

In the case of those residing abroad, the immediate family members can have their DNA profiles prepared in the country of residence. The DNA profile is requested to be sent to the official email of the Nepal Police, [email protected]. We have officially communicated this information to the relevant countries through diplomatic channels.

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This has been an exceptionally painful and difficult time for Nepal.

We deeply share the anguish of those who have lost their loved ones, and the pain and uncertainty of families who are still waiting for their missing family members.

At this profoundly difficult hour, our thoughts and hearts are with all those who have lost someone dear to them, with those who are still waiting, and with all the families and communities affected by this tragedy.

Our immediate focus remains firmly on saving lives, finding those who are missing, supporting survivors and providing relief to affected communities.

We express our sincere gratitude to our neighbours, friendly countries, international organisations and partners for standing with Nepal at this difficult time, and for extending their condolences, solidarity and assistance.

We also thank our media friends for your continued cooperation, particularly in helping the public distinguish verified information from speculation at a time when accurate information is critically important.

The Ministry will continue to provide regular updates through its official website, social media channels and further media briefings. Our next press briefing will be at 2 pm tomorrow, 2 September 2026.

Thank you.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Singhadurbar, Kathmandu