Nepal flood crisis deepens as rain warning threatens rescue operations

Kathmandu,UPDATED: Aug 29, 2026 14:48 IST

Nepal's meteorology department on Saturday warned of fresh rainfall and thunderstorms in flash flood-affected areas, raising concerns over ongoing rescue and relief operations as the crisis deepened. The death toll crossed 600, while more than 2,400 people remained missing, according to a media report.

The disaster was triggered on Wednesday when an ice-rock avalanche following a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border sent a torrent of water, mud and debris downstream through central Nepal. Nearly 2,500 people, including 163 foreigners, have been evacuated, while more than 11,000 security personnel, including over 5,000 Nepal Army personnel, have been deployed for search and rescue operations amid on-and-off rainfall in the affected regions.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has indicated heavy rain in the hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces, the hilly areas of Karnali, and the Terai regions of Lumbini and Sudurpashchim provinces, The Rising Nepal media portal reported.

Meteorologist Hari Prasad Dahal said most places in the Bhotekoshi flood-affected area in Rasuwa were likely to receive moderate rainfall on Saturday. "Heavy rain may occur in one or two places, which is likely to affect search and rescue operations. Therefore, precaution is necessary," he said.

The meteorology department also said there was a possibility of moderate rainfall with thunder and lightning, as well as snowfall, in many hilly and mountainous parts of the country from Saturday afternoon. It said Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces, along with some other hilly and mountainous areas, may experience rainfall with thunder and lightning as well as snow.

Rescuers continued search operations amid fears of another wave of flooding after water levels in the Bhotekoshi River rose. Chinese authorities have already warned that a new barrier lake is forming near the river's source in Tibet and alerted that the lake could breach, increasing the risk of fresh floods in downstream areas of Nepal.

Nepal remained on alert on Saturday as search teams looked for the missing, thousands stayed displaced, and weather warnings added to concerns over further flooding in the disaster-hit areas.

With PTI Inputs

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