Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal, briefing the press on August 29, said the Government of Nepal has made search, rescue, relief and recovery its national priority following the devastating Bhote Koshi flash floods of August 26. According to the latest government figures, 626 bodies have been recovered, around 2,400 people remain unaccounted for, and more than 4,450 people have been rescued, including over 187 foreign nationals. Search and rescue teams, security agencies, provincial and local governments, medical teams and emergency responders continue operating across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Chitwan.
The government said relief efforts are focused on emergency medical treatment, food, safe drinking water, temporary shelter and other essential supplies. A dedicated Emergency Control Room at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating assistance for missing and affected foreign nationals, while Nepali missions abroad are helping families with verified information, identification and repatriation procedures. Authorities have urged the public and media to rely only on official updates because casualty and missing-person figures may continue to change during search and verification.
Nepal has also requested specialized international assistance in areas where additional expertise is needed, including tunnel rescue, technology to locate survivors, rapid forensic and DNA analysis, and mortuary capacity. An 11-member technical reconnaissance team from India has been mobilized for tunnel rescue, while a specialized team from China is expected to arrive soon. Nepal has already received more than 57 tons of relief materials from India, with additional essential supplies arriving from China, Japan, Australia and other partner countries.
The government said a detailed assessment of damage to houses, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other critical infrastructure is underway and that international assistance is expected to be needed for rehabilitation and reconstruction. It rejected reports that Nepal had refused foreign assistance, while noting that financial contributions can be made through the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund. The minister also stressed that areas outside the affected districts remain normal and Nepal remains open to international travellers and tourists.
