The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) is set to establish a dedicated information desk to coordinate and provide verified updates on tourists affected by the devastating flash floods in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems on August 26, 2026. The initiative comes as government agencies and tourism-sector representatives intensify efforts to trace missing tourists, support rescue operations and ensure timely information reaches families, travel companies and concerned embassies.
A meeting of government agencies and representatives from Nepal’s tourism sector has called for intensified search and rescue efforts for tourists reported missing following the devastating flash floods in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems on August 26, 2026. The meeting, held to strengthen coordination among government agencies, tourism organizations and travel businesses, focused on ensuring the timely rescue, identification and dissemination of verified information concerning tourists affected by the disaster.
Meeting led by Department of Tourism and NTB
The meeting was jointly led by Ramkrishna Lamichhane, Director General of the Department of Tourism, and Hikmat Singh Ayer, Officiating Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).
Around 40 representatives participated in the meeting, including officials and representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Tourist Police, Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN), Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), Association of Kailash and Manasarovar Tour Operators, and other tourism-related organizations.
The participants discussed the need for a coordinated mechanism to track the status of tourists affected by the floods and to ensure that accurate information reaches their families, embassies, travel companies, and concerned authorities.
Dedicated information desk to be established at NTB
One of the key decisions of the meeting was to establish a dedicated information desk at the Nepal Tourism Board. The desk will comprise representatives from the Nepal Tourism Board, Department of Tourism, Tourist Police, TAAN, NATTA, HAN, Hotel Professional Federation Nepal (HPFN), and the Association of Kailash and Manasarovar Tour Operators.
The mechanism will regularly collect, verify, and share information regarding tourists who have been rescued, those still reported missing, and updates on the overall situation in the affected areas. The initiative is aimed at avoiding confusion and ensuring that stakeholders have access to a common and reliable source of information.
Travel companies asked to submit verified details
The meeting also urged tour and travel companies to provide verified details of tourists reported missing through designated focal persons. Travel companies have been asked to maintain direct coordination with the concerned authorities and relevant embassies, particularly in cases involving foreign nationals. The coordination is expected to help authorities verify identities, locations, and the latest status of tourists more efficiently.
Families to receive timely and accurate updates
The meeting emphasized the importance of providing families of missing tourists with accurate and timely information. Concerned tour and travel companies have been requested to remain in contact with the families of affected tourists and communicate verified updates through the designated coordination mechanism. Authorities stressed that information should be shared carefully, particularly during the ongoing search and rescue operation.
Dedicated cell proposed under NDRRMA
The meeting further decided to request the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation to facilitate the establishment of a dedicated cell within the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). The proposed cell would support coordinated information management concerning tourists who have been rescued, reported missing or confirmed deceased. Such a mechanism is expected to strengthen coordination between disaster-management authorities, tourism agencies, security agencies and tourism businesses.
Tourism businesses asked to report infrastructure damage
Tourism businesses operating in the affected areas have also been requested to provide details of damaged tourism infrastructure. The information is to be submitted to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and the Nepal Tourism Board. The data will help authorities assess the impact of the floods on tourism infrastructure and support subsequent recovery and rehabilitation efforts.
NTB urges stakeholders to avoid unverified information
The Nepal Tourism Board has urged all tourism stakeholders to provide verified and timely information through the designated coordination mechanism. The Board has also appealed to stakeholders and the public to avoid circulating unverified reports about missing, rescued or deceased tourists, warning that inaccurate information could create further confusion for affected families and authorities.
The establishment of the information desk is expected to provide a more systematic channel for tracking the situation of tourists affected by the August 26 Bhote Koshi and Trishuli flash floods, while supporting ongoing search, rescue and information-sharing efforts.
