On 26 August 2026, a catastrophic flash flood surged down the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa district, triggered by a massive glacier collapse and landslide from the Tibet side of the Nepal-China border. The flood wave travelled 22 kilometres at nearly 200 km/h — covering 14 miles in under 7 minutes. Water levels in the Trishuli River rose 9 metres in just 30 minutes, sweeping away homes, roads, bridges, and entire communities. As of 28 August, at least 469 people have been killed and more than 1,300 remain missing. Over 17,000 children are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. This is one of the deadliest flash floods in Nepal's history.
Most Affected Areas
- →Rasuwa district — epicentre of the disaster, Bhotekoshi River valley communities devastated
- →Sindhupalchok district — severely impacted, roads and bridges washed out
- →Nuwakot district — downstream flooding along the Trishuli River
- →Dhading district — significant flooding and landslide damage
- →Kathmandu Valley — Bagmati River flooding affecting low-lying areas
- →If your family is in any of these districts, they may be without phone signal, electricity, or road access
Check If Your Family Is Safe
- →Call or WhatsApp directly — if you cannot get through, try other family members in the area or switch between Ncell and NTC networks
- →Facebook and Viber — many affected villages are posting updates in local community groups. Search your district or village name on Facebook
- →Nepal Police helpline: 100 — for emergency assistance within Nepal
- →Nepal Red Cross Society hotline: 4270650 / 4270167 — for disaster information and family tracing
- →Nepal government disaster portal: bipad.gov.np — real-time incident reports by district
- →BBC Nepali, Kantipur TV, and Setopati — updated flood coverage throughout the day
- →If unreachable for more than 24 hours, contact the Nepal Embassy in Canberra: +61 2 6162 3468
Send Emergency Money to Nepal — Fastest Options
If your family needs cash urgently for evacuation, food, or emergency supplies, speed matters more than the exchange rate. Here are the fastest ways to transfer money from Australia to Nepal right now:
- →Wise (wise.com) — usually arrives within minutes to hours. Best exchange rate. Recipient needs a bank account. Free for first transfer
- →Remitly — fast delivery to Nepali bank accounts (Khalti, eSewa, bank transfer). Good rates, often same-day
- →Western Union — cash pickup option available in Nepal even without a bank account. Recipient can collect cash at an agent location. Useful if the recipient has no bank access
- →IME (International Money Express) — used by many Nepali families, has a wide agent network across Nepal including rural areas
- →Himal Remit — Australian-based service popular with the Nepali community, transfers directly to Nepali banks and cash pickup locations
- →eSewa and Khalti — if your recipient uses these Nepali digital wallets, some services can deliver directly to their mobile wallet within minutes
For emergency transfers, Western Union cash pickup is the most reliable option if your family is in a rural area without easy bank access — they can collect funds at a local agent even during a disaster.
Donate to Trusted Nepal Flood Relief Organisations
If you want to help beyond your own family, these organisations have strong track records responding to Nepal flood disasters:
- →Nepal Red Cross Society (nrcs.org) — largest humanitarian network in Nepal, active in flood-affected districts. Donate in AUD via their international portal
- →UNICEF Nepal (unicef.org/nepal) — provides emergency water, sanitation, and child protection in disaster zones. Australian donations are tax-deductible through UNICEF Australia
- →World Food Programme Nepal — provides emergency food to displaced families
- →Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Australia — during major disasters, NRNA Australia often organises community fundraising drives and sends collected funds directly to Nepal. Check their Facebook page for active campaigns
- →Local district fundraisers — many Nepali communities in Australia run WhatsApp or Facebook fundraisers for specific affected villages. These go directly to the affected community with minimal overhead
- →Namlo Australia (namloaustralia.org.au) — Australian-registered charity supporting Nepal, runs verified community fundraisers during disasters
Before donating to any individual or group fundraiser on social media, verify the organiser is known to the community. Stick to registered charities or NRNA Australia for peace of mind.
How to Help the Nepali Community in Australia
- →Share verified news and helplines — avoid sharing unverified videos or rumours that cause unnecessary panic. Stick to BBC Nepali, Kantipur, and government sources
- →Support community fundraisers — NRNA chapters in your city often organise drives during major floods. Look for events in your city's Nepali Facebook groups
- →Check on Nepali friends who may have family in flood-affected areas — a simple message goes a long way
- →Volunteer with settlement agencies if recently-arrived Nepalis in Australia are displaced or in need of support
Looking After Yourself
Watching flood news from thousands of kilometres away while being unable to physically help is deeply distressing. It is normal to feel helpless, anxious, or guilty about being safe while family members are in danger. If you are struggling:
- →Limit doom-scrolling — check news at set times rather than constantly. Continuous news watching increases anxiety without helping anyone
- →Talk to other Nepalis in your community — shared worry is lighter. Attend community gatherings or connect in local Nepali Facebook groups
- →Beyond Blue (beyondblue.org.au): 1300 22 4636 — free mental health support available 24/7 in Australia
- →Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 — free crisis support anytime
- →Do something concrete — sending money, sharing a helpline, or donating gives you a sense of action and control
Find Nepali community groups and events near you in Australia
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