384 Travellers Reported Missing Following Bhote Koshi Flash Flood in Rasuwa

A total of 384 travellers, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali nationals, have been preliminarily reported missing following a sudden flash flood in the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa on Wednesday morning.

According to Situation Update-2 issued by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) on August 26, the flash flood occurred at around 8:30 a.m., affecting areas along the Bhote Koshi River and raising concerns over the safety of tourists and travellers in the region.

The NTB, in coordination with the Tourist Police and tourism stakeholders, is working to verify the whereabouts and safety of those reported missing.

The preliminary figures were collected from tourism and travel companies operating in the affected areas. The details are as follows:

The Tourism Board stressed that the figures are preliminary and subject to verification. Authorities are cross-checking the information with travel agencies, trekking guides, local authorities and security agencies.

Authorities are working to establish contact with the travellers and determine their current safety status. Disrupted communication networks and difficult conditions in the affected areas have made it challenging to immediately verify the whereabouts of all those listed.

The NTB and Tourist Police have urged travel agencies, guides, tour operators and local authorities to maintain close coordination with security agencies as search, rescue and verification efforts continue.

The Nepal Tourism Board has urged tourists and travellers requiring assistance to contact the following emergency services:
Toll-Free Emergency Number: 1234
Hotline: 1144
Tourist Police: 9851289445

People with information about affected travellers have also been urged to immediately contact the nearest police or security authority, local administration, travel agency, guide or tour operator.

The Tourism Board has appealed to tourists and travellers to remain calm, stay updated through official channels and follow safety instructions issued by the authorities.

The situation remains under assessment as search, rescue and verification operations continue in the flood-affected areas of Rasuwa.