Nepal: flash floods and health response
Overview
/countries/nepal/picture14816d792-145c-4489-bb5f-a7243df57e03.tmb-1024v.jpg?sfvrsn=45daab5c_1 "A building damaged by the 2026 Rasuwa flash floods in Nepal")
A building damaged by the 2026 Rasuwa flash floods in Nepal
On 26 August 2026, severe flash floods affected parts of central Nepal, including communities along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river corridors. Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Chitwan districts in Bagmati Province, and Gorkha and Tanahun districts in Gandaki Province, have been affected. The Government of Nepal has declared 15 municipalities in the affected districts as disaster crisis-affected areas for three months.
Preliminary information indicates that flooding in Rasuwa followed a sudden surge of water into the Bhote Koshi River from the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, possibly linked to an upstream ice avalanche and temporary damming of the Lhende River. Assessments are ongoing to confirm the full extent of damage to communities, infrastructure and health services.
Health impact and risks
The floods have damaged homes, markets, roads, bridges, customs facilities and hydropower infrastructure. Around 10 000 households are reported to need immediate relief. Health services have also been disrupted, with three health posts fully damaged, one hospital partially damaged, and access to two hospitals affected.
Displacement, overcrowding, damaged water and sanitation systems, and disrupted health services may increase the risk of communicable diseases, including diarrhoeal and respiratory illnesses. Other priority risks include injuries, unsafe water and food, vector-borne diseases, and mental health and psychosocial needs.
Health authorities and partners are supporting trauma care, first aid, blood availability, emergency response capacity and continuity of essential health services.
Government-led response
The Government of Nepal is leading the response through national and provincial health emergency and disaster management mechanisms. The Ministry of Health and Food Safety has activated the Health Emergency Operation Centre and initiated Health Cluster coordination, co-chaired by WHO.
Emergency Medical Teams have been deployed from Kathmandu to affected districts to treat injured people. The Ministry of Home Affairs has requested support from partners to help meet immediate needs, including food, shelter and medical assistance.
WHO’s response
WHO is working closely with the Government of Nepal and partners to identify urgent health needs, support the health response and maintain access to essential health services. As an immediate response, WHO has mobilized US$ 150 000 through its South- East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF).
WHO has mobilized emergency medical supplies, including an Interagency Emergency Health Kit to support the health needs of nearly 10 000 people for three months, multipurpose tents and body bags. WHO is also supporting coordination through the Health Cluster and providing technical support to strengthen post-disaster surveillance and response planning.
WHO’s immediate priorities are to support care for injured people, strengthen disease surveillance, address emerging public health risks, and support continuity and restoration of essential health services. WHO will continue to support assessments, coordination, rehabilitation of health services and recovery efforts, in line with needs identified by national authorities.
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