Live: PM Modi speaks to Balen Shah, offers all possible relief assistance

NEPAL FLASH FLOODSNepal Flash Flood Live Updates: A massive flash flood in Nepal’s Bhote Koshi-Trishuli river basin has killed at least 16 people and injured 36 others after floodwaters surged from the Tibet side into Rasuwa and neighbouring districts on Wednesday. Nepal’s Foreign Minister said initial reports suggest an earthquake triggered an avalanche that may have caused the devastating flood, though authorities are still investigating the exact sequence of events. The disaster has also triggered alerts in downstream areas, with Bihar reviewing the potential flood threat and Uttar Pradesh’s Maharajganj and Kushinagar administrations put on high alert amid the possibility of rising Gandak-Narayani river levels. In Nepal, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitawan and Gorkha remain on alert as rescue operations continue, with helicopters and security personnel deployed to evacuate stranded people. Stay tuned to this live blog for all the latest updates....Read MoreA flash flood sweeps through Nepal districts near Tibet border (Screen grab) A sudden flash flood in central Nepal’s Rasuwa and neighbouring districts bordering Tibet killed four people and caused widespread destruction early Wednesday. The Bhote Koshi River surged around 9 am, sweeping away vehicles, goods and a newly built bridge, while several settlements were affected. At least eight operational hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 354 MW, besides five projects under construction, were damaged. Authorities have not yet determined the exact cause, with officials examining the possibility of a glacial lake outburst flood or another event on the Tibetan side. Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitawan and Gorkha have been placed on high alert. The Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police have launched search-and-rescue operations, with 12 Army helicopters deployed to evacuate and assist those stranded in the affected areas. ...Read MoreAug 26, 2026 16:58 ISTNepal Floods Update: PM Modi speaks to Balen Shah, offers all possible relief assistancePrime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Wednesday and conveyed his condolences over the loss of lives in the devastating floods in the neighbouring country. PM Modi also assured Shah of India’s support and extended all possible humanitarian and relief assistance to Nepal amid the ongoing crisis, government sources said. New Delhi has been closely monitoring the situation and remains in touch with Kathmandu as rescue and relief operations continue in the flood-hit areas. (Manjeet Negi) Aug 26, 2026 16:55 ISTNepal Floods Live: India preparing to send relief material as New Delhi monitors situationIndia is preparing to send relief material to Nepal at the earliest following the devastating flash flood in the Bhote Koshi river basin, government sources said on Wednesday. The disaster has killed at least eight people and left 33 security personnel missing, according to the latest information available at the time. The move comes hours after the Nepal Army said it had not sought assistance from India or its National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) or Army. Government sources said New Delhi is in close contact with Kathmandu and is closely monitoring the situation across the border. The relief package is being prepared on humanitarian grounds and will be dispatched as soon as Nepal formally communicates its requirements or the situation warrants immediate assistance. (Manjeet Negi) Aug 26, 2026 16:54 ISTNepal floods: Congress expresses concern over missing Indians, urges Centre to actThe Indian National Congress on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the devastating flash floods in Nepal and reports that more than 100 Indians remain missing. The party offered condolences to those who lost their loved ones and said it stood in solidarity with the people of Nepal. The Congress urged the Government of India to take immediate steps to trace the missing Indians, ensure their safety and provide all possible assistance to their families. It also called on India to extend every possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal as it grapples with the disaster. The party said it stood with the people of Nepal and prayed for the safety of all those affected by the floods.Aug 26, 2026 16:53 ISTNepal floods: Xi Jinping orders all-out rescue efforts after border mudslideChinese President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out efforts to search for and rescue people reported missing after a mudslide in Nepal caused casualties at the Gyirong border port in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region on Wednesday morning. Authorities have been directed to step up rescue and emergency response efforts following the incident near the Nepal-China border, as teams continue operations to locate those missing and assess the extent of the damage.Aug 26, 2026 16:35 ISTNepal flash flood: 105 Indian tourists among 384 travellers reported missingAt least 105 Indian tourists are among 384 travellers reported missing after a sudden flash flood hit the Bhote Koshi River in Nepal’s Rasuwa district on Wednesday morning, according to a preliminary update by the Nepal Tourism Board. The update said 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali citizens have been reported missing from the affected areas. Of the Indian tourists identified so far, 59 were travelling with Samrat Tours & Travels, while another 46 were with Leaf Holiday. The nationalities of several other foreign tourists are yet to be confirmed, raising the possibility that the number of Indians reported missing could increase. The Nepal Tourism Board, Tourist Police, travel agencies, local authorities and security agencies are coordinating efforts to verify the whereabouts and safety of the missing travellers.Aug 26, 2026 16:23 ISTNepal Flash Flood: UP on high alert as Gandak water levels may riseUttar Pradesh has been put on alert following the severe flooding in Nepal’s Bhotekoshi River, with authorities anticipating a rise in the water level of the Gandak-Narayani River in border districts Maharajganj and Kushinagar. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed concern over the situation in Nepal and prayed to Lord Pashupatinath for the safety of all those affected. With a possible flood threat looming over parts of UP, the local administrations in Maharajganj and Kushinagar have been directed to remain fully prepared and ensure all necessary arrangements are in place. The authorities have also been asked to continuously monitor the situation and take timely measures to deal with any possible rise in river levels or flooding in the affected areas. Aug 26, 2026 16:17 ISTNepal Flash Floods Live: 16 dead, 36 injured as Trishuli River swellsThe death toll from the severe flooding in Nepal’s Trishuli River has risen to 16, while 36 people have been injured, the Bagmati Province Police Office said on Wednesday evening. The flooding, which entered the river from the Tibet side, has caused the highest number of deaths in Nuwakot, where nine people have died, followed by six in Dhading and one in Rasuwa. Among the deceased are seven women and eight men, while the identity of one victim is yet to be established. Rescue teams have also evacuated 36 injured people from the affected areas, including 13 from Rasuwa, 19 from Nuwakot and three from Dhading. Relief and rescue operations remain underway as authorities continue assessing the scale of damage and casualties. Aug 26, 2026 16:16 ISTNepal Flood Update: Bihar CM Samrat Chaudhary reviews flood threat, senior officials attend meetingBihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary held a review meeting on Wednesday to assess the potential flood threat to the state following the massive flash flood in Nepal’s Bhote Koshi basin. The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the DGP, as the administration reviewed the situation and preparedness measures in view of the rising risk along downstream areas. Authorities are closely monitoring developments in Nepal and assessing their possible impact on Bihar.Aug 26, 2026 16:05 ISTNepal Flood: Earthquake-triggered avalanche may have caused flash flood, says MinisterNepal’s Foreign Minister said initial reports indicate that an earthquake triggered an avalanche, which may have caused the massive flash flood in the Bhote Koshi basin, local media reported. Authorities have confirmed that a sudden flood hit Syapru Besi and Timure in Rasuwa district, while satellite imagery showing matching buildings, roads and terrain has corroborated the location of the incident. Videos from the area have also emerged showing floodwaters surging through the valley. The initial assessment comes as rescue operations continue in the flood-hit region, with authorities yet to establish the precise sequence of events that led to the sudden rise in water levels.Aug 26, 2026 16:02 ISTNepal Floods Live: 20 rescued, 15 helicopters deployed as rescue operations continueRescue operations continued in Nepal’s flood-hit Bhote Koshi basin, with 20 people rescued so far from the worst-affected areas of Busi and Tusu, the Nepal Army said. A major flash flood entered the Bhote Koshi from the Tibetan side early Wednesday, sweeping through Timure and Syabrubesi in Rasuwa district and triggering alerts across the Trishuli-Gandak basin up to Bihar. The Nepal Army has deployed 15 helicopters, including seven of its own, while others are being operated by the Armed Police Force and private agencies. A medical centre has been set up at Machhili Training Camp to treat the injured, while Army troops, Special Operations teams and medical personnel are conducting rescue and evacuation operations. Additional teams have been sent from Kathmandu to Rasuwa.