This photo taken on Aug. 26, 2026 shows an area affected by flash floods in Nuwakot District, Nepal. The death toll from a massive flash flood in Nepal's Bhote Koshi River on Wednesday reached 22, the police said. The Nepal Tourism Board said that as many as 384 tourists, including 291 foreigners, have been reported missing after a massive flash flood swept through Rasuwa district in northern Nepal. (Photo: Xinhua/Shutterstock)
“Entire neighbourhoods are under mud and rescue teams are still digging. The water rose nine metres in half an hour. What we are seeing so far is only what we can reach.”
What's Happening in Nepal?
On 26 August 2026, at 8:40 am, a major flash flood struck Nepal's Rasuwa district near the China border. An ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-China border (about 20 km north of the Rasuwagadhi checkpoint) blocked Lhende Khola, which then caused a massive flash flood. This flood, originating from the Bhotekoshi River on the Tibetan side, entered the Trishuli River via Timure, Syaprubesi, and Bhairabkunda, creating a serious and critical situation along the riverbanks of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, and Chitwan districts. Preliminary estimates indicate significant loss of life and property at various locations along the riverbanks due to the flood.
The morning scene in Devighat, Nuwakot, reveals the aftermath of severe flooding. Residents are desperately trying to salvage usable belongings from their inundated homes. (Photo: Nepal Photo Library)
Oxfam’s Response
Oxfam in Nepal stands in solidarity with all those affected by the devastating floods in Rasuwa and downstream areas of Nuwakot and Dhading, including local communities, travelers, pilgrims, tourists, workers, and families impacted by this tragedy.
Oxfam is coordinating with the National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Authority (NDRRMA), a government agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs in Nepal, responsible for coordinating and implementing disaster risk reduction, response, and reconstruction activities and Social Welfare Council, an NGO monitoring body under the Government of Nepal, and District Administration Offices together with partners to provide relief materials to the affected.
Oxfam in Nepal is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with relevant government and humanitarian actors. Of the three districts currently impacted, Oxfam has an ongoing operational footprint in Dhading and mandate to work in Nuwakot and Rasuwa. Oxfam had previously responded to 2015 Earthquake in Dhading, Nuwakot and Rasuwa. Oxfam is in contact with partners and other humanitarian actors, including INGOs, to support the emerging needs assessment and understand potential response gaps.
Given the sudden onset, constrained access and continuing downstream risk, Oxfam is assessing the evolving humanitarian situation and potential response options through established coordination mechanisms and partners. Particular attention will be given to locally led inclusive response through partners, protection and inclusion, emergency food, WASH, Shelter and NFIs and support to highly vulnerable households, subject to verified needs, access and available resources.
As an initial response, Oxfam will handover supply emergency hygiene kits, incorporating water purification solutions, for 200 Households to the relevant government agency. Oxfam is also mobilizing 80,000 GBP worth of stockpile that includes temporary shelter, emergency WASH and hygiene kits.