Bhote Koshi Floods: 1,341 Bodies Recovered as Rescue Operations Enter 12th Day

Originally Published : September 6, 2026
Nepal Register publication : September 7, 2026
3 min read

Summary:

Nepal says 13,104 people have been rescued, around 5,000 remain missing and 1,341 bodies have been recovered, as international tunnel-rescue, forensic and relief operations continue across flood-hit areas.

Search and rescue operations entered their 12th day on 6 September 2026 following the devastating Bhote Koshi River floods. According to the latest figures reported by government agencies, 13,104 people have been rescued, including more than 300 foreign nationals, while around 5,000 people remain missing, including approximately 600 foreigners from 35 countries. A total of 1,341 bodies have been recovered. Four people were rescued alive during the previous three days, including two Nepalis from the Upper Trisuli 3A tunnel, one Chinese national from Upper Trisuli 1 and one Nepali from a house in Betrawati.

Specialized tunnel-rescue teams from India, China and South Korea continue working with the Nepali Army at Upper Trishuli 1, Upper Trishuli 3A, Upper Trishuli 3B, Chilime, Rasuwagadhi and Langtang. An 11-member Malaysian SMART team has also arrived with nine high-capacity drones. Meanwhile, forensic teams from India, China, Japan, Singapore and South Korea are assisting Nepal Police with DNA collection and identification. Authorities are continuing temporary burials after forensic procedures so remains can later be identified and returned to families.

The government’s Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) estimates that about 7,570 houses affecting 32,933 people and 48 government offices have been impacted. The floods have damaged 55 km of roads, 37 motorable bridges, 68 suspension bridges and 1,806 hectares of agricultural land, as well as 13 hydropower projects, one solar power plant and two transmission lines. Around 783 MW of hydropower generation capacity has been affected. A comprehensive Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) is underway to determine total reconstruction requirements.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has facilitated clearance for 26 flights carrying rescue teams and relief supplies, while 431 Nepali nationals had returned from China through Tatopani by 5 September and another 105 were expected on 6 September. Nepali missions abroad have also been instructed to collect relief contributions where direct transfers to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund are impractical. The ministry is additionally working with foreign governments to keep travel advisories limited to affected areas, stressing that the rest of Nepal remains open for tourism.