The Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) has released an update on the status of tourists and support staff reported missing following the devastating flash flood in the Bhote Koshi–Lende River area of Rasuwa. TAAN said it is working in close coordination with government authorities, security forces, local communities and tour operators to trace missing individuals, verify their status, support the rescue and evacuation of survivors, and assist in the identification and verification of deceased persons. Since the disaster, TAAN has conducted two key field missions to assess the situation on the ground and gather information from affected areas.
Aerial Inspection of Trishuli–Timure Region
On August 26, 2026, TAAN President Sagar Pandey conducted an aerial inspection of the Trishuli–Timure region by helicopter to assess the safety and whereabouts of tourists and support personnel affected by the disaster. During the aerial mission, he observed the extent of flood damage and assessed areas where survivors might potentially be located. The inspection also focused on the destruction of roads, hotels, shelters and other structures in the affected region, providing an initial assessment of the challenges facing search, rescue and evacuation operations.
Four-Member Team Conducts Ground Inspection
On August 27 and 28, a four-member TAAN team led by Executive Committee Member Ambir Bahadur Gurung, accompanied by Executive Committee Members Raju Gurung, Pabitra Tamang and Hom Bahadur BK, conducted an on-foot inspection of flood-affected areas in Bidur, Trishuli and Betrabati.
The team surveyed locations considered to have a higher possibility of recovering the bodies of missing individuals and held discussions with military and security personnel about procedures for conducting deeper search and rescue operations, recovering and identifying deceased persons, and assessing access to areas beyond the currently inspected locations. The team also evaluated the possibility of reaching Syabrubesi and Timure through a combination of helicopter, vehicle, and foot travel, depending on the condition of routes and accessibility.
Survival Chances in Timure Considered Extremely Low
Based on the findings of the field missions and information received from government authorities, TAAN said the possibility of survival for tourists and support staff who spent the night at Timure (Rasuwagadhi) on August 25 and were preparing to cross the China border on August 26 is considered extremely low. The flash flood reportedly swept away buildings on both sides of the Lende River, including hotels and government offices in both Nepal and China, leaving the area severely devastated.
TAAN further reported that there was very little possibility of survival for people who attempted to escape into the jungle or move toward higher ground in Timure. Residents who managed to reach safer areas in the jungle have reportedly been evacuated by government security forces.
Low Survival Possibility Reported in Syabrubesi
TAAN also said the possibility of survival was considered low for people who fled toward forests or higher elevations in Syabrubesi, including tourists travelling toward Kailash Mansarovar and Langtang, as well as their support staff. However, those who managed to survive by reaching safer areas have already established contact and have been evacuated by government authorities, according to TAAN.
Government Continues Search, Rescue and Identification
Government search and rescue teams are continuing operations to locate missing individuals across the affected areas. TAAN said survivors are being evacuated to nearby medical facilities, including hospitals in Dhunche and Trishuli, while those requiring further treatment are being taken to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu. Deceased individuals recovered during the operations are being transported to Dhunche and Trishuli hospitals for forensic examination and identification.
TAAN Provides Emergency Contact Numbers
TAAN has requested individuals seeking information or assistance regarding the search and rescue of missing persons to contact 9840310418, 9851154102, 9855022152, 9851281183 or 9849378823. For information concerning lists of survivors, missing persons and deceased individuals, the association has provided the following contacts: Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA): 9841403866; Assistant CDO, Rasuwa: 9851164422; and Assistant CDO, Nuwakot: 9851248777.
TAAN to Publish Verified Updates
TAAN said it will continue to publish verified lists and details of rescued, evacuated and recovered tourists and support staff, including both survivors and deceased individuals, as information is officially confirmed. The association emphasized that coordination among government agencies, security forces, local communities, tourism operators and other stakeholders remains crucial to the ongoing search, rescue, evacuation and identification efforts in the flood-affected region.
