Nepal: Rasuwa - Bhotekoshi flood: Urgent call for assistance

Please refer to the attached file.

Context

On 26 August 2026, a devastating flood surge swept through Nepal’s transboundary Bhotekoshi–Trishuli river system, claiming lives and wiping out livelihoods across predominantly rural communities along the river corridor. An estimated 32 960 people have been directly affected, with needs concentrated in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Gorkha districts.1 The affected areas also include communities where the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is implementing five ongoing projects, with participating communities impacted by the floods.

The floods washed away crops, livestock and other productive assets on which rural families depend for food and income. Around 1 806 hectares of crops were damaged, including 1 669 hectares of paddy and 137 hectares of vegetables, resulting in production losses of approximately 7 686 tonnes.1 Livestock losses were extensive, with more than 9 000 cattle and buffaloes, 26 000 goats and sheep and 214 000 poultry lost, in addition to pigs and other livestock.1 The fisheries subsector was also severely affected, with 24 carp ponds, 51 production raceways, 30 research raceways, two hatcheries and six reservoirs damaged.1 Roads, irrigation systems, agricultural equipment and food stocks were also affected, disrupting markets, input supplies and agricultural services.

These losses extend beyond the current harvest. Farmland buried under mud and sediment requires restoration, while surviving livestock urgently need feed and veterinary care. Livestock deaths, carcass management challenges and contaminated water sources increase the risk of animal disease outbreaks and associated public health threats. Without timely support, rural families risk losing further productive assets and missing upcoming production opportunities, prolonging food insecurity and increasing dependence on humanitarian assistance.

Emergency agricultural assistance is therefore critical to protect remaining assets, restore production and enable early recovery, while rehabilitating irrigation systems, fisheries infrastructure, markets and other agricultural systems is essential to restore incomes and strengthen resilience.