26 August 2026 Catastrophic Rasuwa Flood

Technical Discussion Series

A Collaborative Technical Initiative

Understanding • Documenting • Learning • Building Resilience

Background

The catastrophic flood in Rasuwa district and associated hazards of 26 August 2026 have caused major loss of life and extensive damage to settlements, roads, bridges, hydropower, building and  and other infrastructure. Rescue and relief efforts are still ongoing, and information from affected areas is continuing to emerge.

Nepal Geotechnical Society (NGS), in collaboration with the Nepal Engineers’ Association (NEA), professional societies, universities, government agencies, engineers and scientists, proposes a weekly technical platform to bring together available information, field experiences and professional knowledge.

Official information from NDRRMA/Bipad Portal and relevant Government agencies, together with reliable scientific and field sources, will be used and referenced.

Objectives

  • To understand what caused the catastrophic flood and subsequent destruction
  • To document damages on physical infrastructure, and experiences from the ground.
  • To share reliable and verified information.
  • To identify immediate concerns and challenges for recovery and reconstruction.
  • To develop an integrated framework for debris management, environmental remediation and resilient infrastructure reconstruction/rehabilitation for affected settlement and critical infrastructures.
  • To learn lessons for building safer and more resilient infrastructure.
  • To create a reliable technical record for Nepal and the international community.

SESSION 1: TECHNICAL SUMMARY REPORT

A technical discussion was conducted to document and assess the Catastrophic Rasuwa Flood of 26 August 2026, focusing on its impacts, contributing factors, and key engineering observations.

The Technical Summary Report from Session 1 is attached below for detailed reference and further reading.

SESSION 2: TECHNICAL SUMMARY REPORT

Session 2 of the Technical Discussion Series focused on the rescue challenges associated with tunnels and caverns, with emphasis on emergency response, access, safety, coordination, and technical challenges during disaster situations.

The session was organized as a platform for technical knowledge sharing and professional discussion among relevant experts and stakeholders.

The Technical Summary Report of Session 2 is attached below for detailed reference and further reading.