Rescue workers and local volunteers continued search and cleanup operations in Devighat, Nepal, as communities struggled to recover from the devastating flash floods that swept through the area on August 26. Much of the settlement has been left buried under mud and debris, with residents returning to damaged homes in search of belongings and missing family members.

Devighat, in Nuwakot district, was among the areas severely affected by the disaster. The floodwaters and debris caused extensive destruction along the Trishuli River, leaving houses, shops and other structures damaged or destroyed. Survivors have described the scene as one in which little remains of their homes and livelihoods.

Volunteers join rescue and cleanup efforts

As formal rescue operations continue, volunteers have joined local communities in clearing mud and debris from affected areas. The work includes searching damaged structures, helping residents recover essential belongings and assisting families displaced by the floods.

Search teams have also continued looking for people who may remain trapped beneath the debris. The difficult terrain, unstable conditions and large quantities of mud and rubble have made the operation challenging.

Devighat among worst-hit areas

The August 26 flash floods caused widespread destruction across parts of Nepal and neighbouring areas. Devighat, a settlement along the Trishuli River, was particularly badly affected, with floodwaters carrying large amounts of mud and debris into populated areas.

Recent reports from the affected region have shown residents attempting to salvage whatever they can from damaged houses. Some buildings have been left partially standing, while others have been buried or swept away.

Rescue operations continue across Nepal

The Devighat cleanup is taking place alongside a much wider rescue operation across flood-hit districts. Nepal has deployed security personnel and specialist teams to search for survivors and recover victims.

Rescue operations have also focused on hydropower projects where workers were reported trapped inside tunnels following the floods. Nepal has intensified efforts at several sites, with heavy equipment being transported to areas that are difficult to reach. (Reuters)

The disaster has caused extensive casualties and left thousands missing across Nepal and Tibet, according to recent international reports. Authorities continue to search affected communities while also providing assistance to displaced survivors. (AP News)

Survivors face loss of homes and livelihoods

For residents of Devighat, the immediate challenge has shifted from escaping the floodwaters to dealing with the destruction left behind. Homes have been filled with mud and debris, while essential infrastructure, including roads and bridges, has suffered severe damage.

Residents have been returning to affected areas to look for documents, household items and other possessions that may have survived the disaster. At the same time, families continue to seek information about relatives who remain missing.

Search continues amid difficult conditions

Rescue teams are working through thick mud and unstable debris while weather conditions remain a concern. Search operations in several parts of Nepal have been slowed by difficult access and the risk of further flooding and landslides.

In Devighat, volunteers and rescue personnel continue to clear affected areas as the community begins the difficult process of recovery. The immediate priority remains locating survivors and missing people, recovering victims and ensuring that displaced families receive basic assistance.

The scale of destruction means that recovery will extend well beyond the ongoing rescue operation. For many families in Devighat, the flood has destroyed homes, livelihoods and possessions, leaving the community facing a long and uncertain rebuilding process.

Afghanistan has approved a fresh set of development projects with a combined value of approximately $99 million, covering key sectors including hospital construction, dams and electricity infrastructure, according to information reported by ANI. The move comes as the Afghan authorities continue to prioritise domestic infrastructure and reconstruction projects.

The projects are focused on areas considered important for public services and basic infrastructure, particularly healthcare, water management and power supply. The approvals are expected to support construction and related development work in multiple parts of Afghanistan, although detailed information on the individual projects and their locations was not available in the supplied report. The latest approval follows earlier decisions by Afghanistan's procurement authorities to fund infrastructure projects through the country's own budget. In May 2026, Afghanistan approved 15 projects worth around $68 million, including roads, hospitals, water-reservoir dams and electricity supply schemes. (Xinhua News)

Healthcare infrastructure is among the areas receiving attention as Afghanistan seeks to expand access to essential services. Hospital projects are particularly significant in a country where access to medical facilities remains uneven between major cities and more remote areas. India has also been involved in healthcare assistance to Afghanistan, with the Indian government stating in December 2025 that it had supported the construction of five maternity and health clinics, a 30-bed hospital in Kabul and several specialised healthcare facilities. (Press Information Bureau)

The focus on dams and power infrastructure also reflects Afghanistan's continuing effort to improve water management and domestic electricity capacity. Hydropower remains an important part of the country's energy system, while dams serve both electricity generation and irrigation needs. Earlier Afghan development programmes have included projects involving water reservoirs, electricity supply and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure. The country's procurement authorities have previously said that such projects are being financed through government resources. (Xinhua News)

The latest $99-million approval is therefore part of a broader infrastructure push rather than an isolated development. Afghanistan's authorities have repeatedly announced new road, energy, water and public-service projects since 2021, with procurement decisions covering both new construction and rehabilitation work. In December 2025, for example, 11 development and infrastructure projects worth about $23.2 million were approved, including electricity schemes, airport maintenance and road construction. (Amu TV)

Further details on the individual projects, including their locations, implementation timelines, contractors and exact funding allocations, will be important for assessing the scale and likely impact of the latest announcement. For now, the approval signals continued government spending on core infrastructure, with hospitals, water projects and electricity facilities forming key parts of Afghanistan's current development agenda.

A devastating fire at a popular pub in Thailand's capital has claimed 27 lives and left 63 others injured, with investigators pointing to blocked emergency exits, dense smoke and possible electrical failure as key factors behind one of Bangkok's deadliest entertainment venue disasters in recent years.

The blaze erupted shortly after midnight on Sunday at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao, a crowded pub in Bangkok's Chatuchak district, while a live music performance was underway. Authorities said the venue filled with thick smoke within minutes, leaving patrons with little time to escape.

Fire Spread Within Minutes

Eyewitnesses said they initially noticed smoke near the stage before flames rapidly engulfed the front section of the venue.

Band producer Atipat Wijan, who was near the stage when the fire started, said he initially believed an electrical breaker had malfunctioned before noticing flames spreading near the performers. Moments later, an explosion shook the venue, triggering panic among customers.

Several survivors described scenes of chaos as visibility dropped sharply due to heavy smoke, making it difficult to locate exits.

Blocked Exits Worsened the Tragedy

Preliminary findings indicate that the fire may have originated from an electrical short circuit involving an air-conditioning unit installed in the ceiling. Officials stressed that forensic experts are continuing to examine the site to determine the exact cause.

According to Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, patrons instinctively fled toward the rear of the pub, where the kitchen and washrooms were located. However, one emergency exit was reportedly obstructed by stacked beer crates, while another was partially blocked by furniture, severely hampering evacuation efforts.

Authorities said many victims were later found inside or near the rear washroom area, suggesting they were unable to reach a safe exit.

Investigators are also examining whether flammable ceiling decorations accelerated the spread of the fire throughout the building.

Most Victims Suffered Smoke Inhalation

Firefighters who reached the scene said flames were relatively contained compared to the volume of smoke that had engulfed the entire establishment.

Emergency responders reported that many survivors were suffering from severe smoke inhalation rather than burn injuries.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed that 27 people have died, while 63 others sustained injuries, including 22 who remain in critical condition.

Authorities have so far identified ten of the deceased as forensic teams continue the victim identification process.

Compensation Announced

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has announced financial assistance for those affected by the tragedy.

Hospitalised victims will be eligible for compensation of up to 4,000 baht, while individuals affected but not physically injured may receive up to 2,000 baht. Families of those who lost their lives will receive 29,700 baht in compensation, along with additional assistance for medical expenses.

Questions Over Fire Safety Compliance

The incident has renewed scrutiny of fire safety standards at entertainment venues across Thailand.

While Bangkok's governor stated that the establishment had obtained the required operating permits and included designated fire exits, the Prime Minister said survivor accounts suggested the venue lacked effective escape routes once smoke spread through the building.

Investigators are examining whether emergency exits complied with safety regulations and whether obstructions contributed to the high death toll.

Part of a Troubling Pattern

The Bangkok tragedy follows several major fire disasters in Thailand over the past two decades.

In 2022, a fire at the Mountain B nightclub in Pattaya killed 26 people, with investigators later attributing the disaster to negligence, flammable interior materials and licensing violations.

Earlier, the Santika nightclub fire during New Year's celebrations in 2009 claimed 66 lives, while a hotel fire in Pattaya in an earlier incident killed around 90 people.

The latest tragedy has once again intensified calls for stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations, regular inspections and improved emergency evacuation standards at public entertainment venues across Thailand.