This blog aims to provide current conditions in Nepal after the August 26 flash flood and trekking possibilities in major regions like Langtang, Annapurna, and Manaslu.
The blog contains sensitive images of the devastating flood of August 2026 in Nepal, originating from the Lhende River, which is a transboundary tributary of the Bhote Koshi River. The incident is still ongoing, with no total confirmed deaths.
Last updated: 27 August, 2026
On 26 August 2026, around 9 to 10 in the morning, news spread widely about a flood in the Timure village of RasuwaDistrict; the public statement claimed that the whole village was engulfed by the flood. The news spread widely, and footage of the flood began surging on social media, showing devastating floodwaters flowing downstream through the marketplace, highways, and towns from Rasuwagadhi to Trisuli Bazar. Multiple lives were lost; as of August 27, at least 95 deaths were confirmed in Nepal, and 3 in China, with the total regional death toll along the border reaching 165. Hundreds remain missing, including 384 tourists, 291 of whom are foreign nationals from countries including Australia, the United States, Britain, Malaysia, and South Korea. Rescue operations are ongoing, and figures are expected to rise.
Currently, the event is still ongoing, with no definitive proof of what caused such a devastating disaster. There is widespread news and claims spreading on social media of a dam burst and a GLOF cause, but the Government of Nepal hasn’t given a definitive statement of what caused the disaster. With proper research and educated speculation, there are 3 three causes of the flash flood.
Glacier collapse in the Himalayas
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority of Nepal detailed an analysis of the flood by Planet Labs, which showed an ice-rock landslide about 20 kilometres from Rasuwagadhi that triggered a debris flood in Lende Khola. The collapse sent a shockwave with a magnitude reading of around 4.4 to 5.2. Later, the avalanche fell into the glacial lake and blocked the river, resulting in the debris flood carrying glacial ice and melted water from frictional heat. The flood and landslide swept down into the Lende Khola, which is also a tributary of the Bhote Koshi River.
Photo: Satellite image of the landslide area. (ndtv, 2026)
Early earthquake in the Himalayas and following avalanche
Another speculated cause is the early earthquake in the Himalayas, which might have caused the avalanche, and the result triggered a series of events from a natural dam outburst and debris and ice flood mixed into the Lende Khola, which resulted in the Flash flood in Bhotekoshi. Since the landslide had a magnitude reading of 4.4 to 5.2, many people believe it might have been the cause of the Avalanche and the chain of events.
Glacial Lake Outburst Flood
In July 2025, a similar flash flood occurred in the same region of Nepal due to a glacial lake outburst, resulting in a number of deaths and damage to infrastructure, including the historic bridge connecting Nepal and Tibet. Many believed the same cause for the August 2026 flash flood. Since the investigation was still ongoing, no definite answer could be found for the disaster.
Planet Labs' analysis has already identified an ice-rock landslide roughly 20km northeast of Rasuwagadhi, which triggered a debris-laden flood entering the Lendhe Khola. The USGS initially interpreted the seismic signal as an earthquake, but later determined that the signal was associated with the glacial collapse itself, rather than an earthquake triggering the event.
8:37 AM:
Approximately 8 and a half hours later, a shockwave of magnitude 4.4 to 5.2 was caused by the glacial collapse about 20 kilometers northeast of Rasuwagadhi. The avalanche probably fell into a glacial lake and closed the water channel.
Photo: Google satellite image of Rasuwagadhi post.
9 to 9:15 AM:
Around 9’0 clock, the natural damage burst from the excessive pressure; the debris-laden flood entered the Lendhe Khola, which was connected to the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwagadhi. The debris flood of icefalls and landslides slammed into China’s Gyirong port, resulting in 3 confirmed deaths. However, the total regional death toll along the impacted China–Nepal border has reached at least 165 people, with hundreds more still unaccounted for.
The flood was estimated to be 8 to 10 meters high when it hit the border checkpost of Rasuwagadhi, where hundreds are still missing and the death tolls currently rising.
Photo: Moment during the flood hit the post – CNN Social Media Network
9:30 to 10 AM:
By 10’0 clock, the flood had already hit multiple river towns across the border of Nepal. The flood initially hit the Rasuwagadhi checkpost around 9 at Nepal border side and kept on rampaging through the hills of Nepal, where major towns like Timure and Syafrubesi were completely destroyed. Infrastructure like the Chilime hydro projects was completely swept away, and the river valleys of Syafrubesi were completely wiped out.
Photo: Syafrubesi Then and Now Comparison Photo – Trekker’s paradise
The flood continued downstream following the Bhotekoshi River, destroying all infrastructure and towns, which later joined the major stream of the Trisuli, resulting in an even more devastating event. The Trisuli River has always been a high-alert flood zone during heavy monsoon, and the debris flood from the Bhotekoshi, which mixed with the Trisuli, became a nightmare. After 10’0 clock, every call had warnings of flooding from Trisuli to Dhading and Chitwan, warning about the scale of the flood.
Photo: Trisuli River after the Bhotekoshi flood.
H2 Scale of flood on the Nepal side of the border
The flood initially hit the Giyrong port of China and the Rasuwagadhi post; by 10’0 clock, the flood flowed downstream to Trisuli Bazar into the Trisuli River, and continued downstream along the Trisuli River, hitting major areas like Dhading, Nuwakot, and Chitwan. Major towns and bridges connecting districts were swept by the flood, which resulted in a complete temporary shutdown of the Prithivi Highway. Quick actions and rescue efforts are ongoing to open highways and rescue flood victims in the affected region.
Photo: Satellite image of the flood scale.
As you all might know, from September to November and early December is the major trekking season in Nepal. With more stable weather conditions and clear days, trekking has been a popular adventure activity that is mainly centered around the Langtang, Annapurna, and Manaslu regions. But with such a devastating disaster that engulfed major parts of Nepal, is it possible to trek in this region?
The honest answer is that there is no certainty for all the region with, especially the Langtang region.
Langtang and Gosaikunda Trekking
The gate to Langtang village is the Syafrubesi itself. From the northeast of Kathmandu, Syafrubesi is the checkpoint and gateway to Langtang Valley; it is also a small port for trade trucks from the border of Tibet. The Pashang Lhamu Highway, which connects Trishuli town and other places like Dunche and Syafrubesi, which are major towns to Langtang and Gosaikunda, is heavily impacted by the flood. Although Dunche town itself is at a higher altitude, the highways leading to it from Trishuli town are currently on high alert due to the flood. As for Langtang trekking, which was done through the Syafrubesi, it is uncertain when this route will open since the lower town, including the highways, bridges, and checkposts, was completely swept away by the flood.
Annapurna and Manaslu Trekking Region
The Annapurna and Manaslu region is in an uncertain position. For trekking to the Annapurna region, there have always been two ways: taking the highway or taking a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, which is the gateway to Annapurna. So, doing short treks like Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, and other treks in the region is possible through the flight, although it can be costlier but is the safest option. But What about the Annapurna Circuit Trek?
Although flying is possible to the Annapurna region, the Annapurna Circuit route is a bit different. The circuit trek circles from the border of the Manaslu region and later heads to the upper part of the Annapurna Region from Dumre and Jagat. Although roundabout ways, like taking a flight to Pokhara and taking a private jeep back to Dumre, are possible, but is more costly and not recommended currently. Why? The Prithivi Highway is not only for travelling to tourist places, but is also a major connecting highway used for trading as well, so it can’t stay closed for a long period, since it can strain the economy itself. As debris on the Prithivi highway is being cleared at set to open by noon on Thursday. So, the Annapurna Circuit Trek is possible in the coming days but not immediately.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek, which was accessed through the Malekhu-Dhading bridge in recent days, now can’t be done since the connecting concrete bridge itself was swept away by the flood. But it can be accessed through the Barpak and Larpak villages of Gorkha once the highway opens.
Unlike Annapurna and Manaslu, the Ganesh Himal trekking region, or the remote trekking region of Ruby Valley, was accessed through two major sides from Dhading and Rasuwa. Since the connecting bridge from Dhading to Malekhu was completely swept away, it is nearly impossible to reach it from Dhading until a temporary bridge is built, which can take time. From the Rasuwa side, the route was mainly through the Syafrubesi and Galtang villages, but since the flood itself originated from the Rasuwa border side and caused heavy damage in Syafrubesi, it is also nearly impossible until further notice. So, trekking Ruby Valley is not possible for the moment.
As for Helambu, which also connects to Gosaikunda and Langtang Valley, it is safe since Helambu uses a trail from a different side of the flood zone, but the trail can only be back and forth, unlike the traditional round trail which ended at Syafrubesi and Dunche.
If you have a booking in any of the mentioned regions, you can check with the Nepal Tourism Board or constantly check trusted news sources about the current conditions. Get official updates from:
→ Nepal Tourism Board: ntb.gov.np
→ NDRRMA Nepal: ndrrma.gov.np
→ Nepal Police emergency: 100
→ Tourist Police: 01-4247041
Embassy emergency contacts for affected nationalities:
→ Australian Embassy Kathmandu:
+977-1-4371678
→ UK Embassy Nepal:
+977 1-4237100
→ US Embassy Nepal:
+977-1-4234000
→ Indian Embassy Nepal:
+977 9810326117 (All active on WhatsApp)
If you’re looking for alternative routes, you can contact us and inquire about the trails and accessibility; we will help you within our reach.
