Nepal PM says country faces ‘unimaginable’ disaster after floods kill hundreds

Prime Minister Balendra Shah described Nepal’s floods as an “unimaginable and heartbreaking” disaster as authorities struggled to establish the full scale of the losses.

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Our country has been facing an unimaginable and heartbreaking natural disaster.

A huge wave of ice, rocks and debris struck villages and towns on Aug. 26. At least 797 people have died in Nepal and across the border in China’s Tibet region, while 3,048 remain missing. Many of those missing are tourists and pilgrims traveling to Tibet’s sacred Mount Kailash.

Shah said the flooding of the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa had made it extremely difficult to compile a complete account of lost lives, property and infrastructure. Adverse weather, difficult terrain and continuing risks were complicating the work, he said, while authorities continued efforts to protect residents.

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The devastating floods in the Bhote Koshi river in Rasuwa have made it extremely difficult to collect a complete account of the loss of life, property, and infrastructure.

The 36-year-old rapper-turned-politician, widely known as “Balen,” now faces the task of rebuilding communities and critical infrastructure. Nepal’s economy was already under pressure, leaving the country with limited resources to respond to a disaster of this scale.

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Although this task remains challenging due to adverse weather, difficult terrain, and ongoing risks, we are moving forward with determination to protect the lives of the citizens.

The floods came shortly before the anniversary of mass anti-corruption protests on Sept. 8 and 9, 2025, which toppled the previous government. Shah’s party won March elections amid public enthusiasm for change. He called for unity and collective efforts to overcome the crisis.

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We will succeed in overcoming this crisis through our unity and collective efforts.