After major flash floods struck Nepal’s Rasuwa district, a Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) team has arrived in the country to assess people’s immediate needs. MSF stands ready to provide urgent humanitarian and medical assistance.
Update
With successful government-led response underway, MSF decides not to launch activities in Nepal
September 8, 2026 — After carrying out assessments in Nepal’s Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts — the areas worst affected by the floods — Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) determined that the humanitarian response has been well-coordinated and is adequately addressing people’s immediate humanitarian needs. The government has led the response in coordination with local communities, United Nations agencies, and other humanitarian organizations.
People’s needs are now shifting toward recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. As MSF specializes in responding to the most immediate and acute phases of emergencies, rather than longer-term recovery and reconstruction activities, MSF will not be launching emergency medical activities in Nepal at this stage. We acknowledge the hard work of local communities, the Nepali authorities, and all those responding tirelessly to support people affected by this disaster.
The floods rapidly impacted the Timure, Rasuwagadhi, and Syabrubesi areas, causing significant damage to settlements, markets, and infrastructure. Flood waves are estimated to have been as large as 26-33 feet in some locations. Hundreds of people are feared to have died, with many people still missing.
Floodwaters reached the town of Mugling in Chitwan district and have since begun to recede, though authorities say the risk remains high, as the blocked section of the river upstream has not yet been fully cleared.
High-alert warnings have been issued for communities located along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers, particularly in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, and Chitwan districts. People living along riverbanks have been advised to move to safer locations.
Update: Nepal floods
An MSF team arrived in Nepal less than 24 hours after the floods struck. Here's what they saw.
Authorities are carrying out urgent search and rescue operations in affected areas, and a full health emergency response has been initiated.
The MSF team arrived in Nepal less than 24 hours after the floods struck, and we are engaging with health facilities to assess whether we can provide support. We know from our years of experience responding to emergencies that people in affected areas will urgently need shelter, non-food items, access to clean water and latrines, and emergency medical and trauma support.
Our teams are assessing how we can provide assistance to people and stand ready to support the national response to this tragedy.
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