Floodwaters collapse bridge in Nepal as widescale damage leaves at least 157 dead
Flash floods have ripped through districts along the Nepal–China border, destroying bridges and damaging hydropower projects; rescue operations continue.
Published: 26 August 2026, 20:27
Flash floods in Nepal swept away part of a bridge after fast‑moving water struck its structure, footage from the disaster zone shows. Local authorities say the deluge has damaged dozens of transport links and energy installations across the Bhote Koshi–Trishuli river system.
Scale of damage and casualties
Preliminary reports from Nepal’s road authority list at least 19 bridges destroyed and roughly 40 kilometres of road damaged. Heavy machinery has been dispatched to clear blocked routes and restore access to the affected districts.
Emergency teams report extensive harm to hydropower infrastructure: 13 hydroelectric projects in the region were damaged and several power plants were affected or disconnected from the grid. More than 200 trucks were also carried away by floodwaters.
Authorities describe the situation as the country's most severe natural disaster since the destructive 2015 earthquake. Flash floods and large landslides along districts bordering China have left at least 157 dead, over 93 injured and more than 380 missing. Search and rescue operations are ongoing.
Neighbouring countries, including India and China, have offered assistance as Nepali officials coordinate relief and recovery efforts under very difficult conditions.
Photo: press material from the event
