Nepal issues fresh flood warning as Bhote Koshi water level rises

Kathmandu: Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has issued a new flood alert, stating that the water level in the Bhote Koshi River has increased further in Rasuwa. The National Flood Forecasting Division reports the Trishuli River, downstream of Bhotekoshi in Dhading, is 3 meters above normal levels.

This rise in water level is attributed to flooding from the Bhote Koshi region in Rasuwa. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology's official said the risk is low as people have already moved away from the riverside areas.

The NDRRMA has repeatedly warned of the potential for another severe flood due to the obstruction of Lhende Khola, a tributary of the Bhotekoshi River. A satellite image from August 27, 2026, shows the Lhende Khola's flow blocked approximately 18 kilometers from the Rasuwagadhi border, creating a lake covering about 0.11 square kilometers.

There is a risk that the natural dam containing this lake could collapse, leading to another major flood. The NDRRMA urges residents in downstream areas and all concerned to stay vigilant and take extreme precautions. They also note the possibility of additional lakes forming in the area.

The massive flood on August 26 has so far resulted in 675 deaths, with 2,498 people still unaccounted for, including 589 foreigners.