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.

The death toll from the devastating flash floods in Nepal has risen to 788, while more than 2,500 people remain missing as rescue and relief operations continue across several flood-hit districts. More than 9,400 people have been rescued so far, while India has also stepped up efforts to assist its nationals affected by the disaster.

The floods struck parts of Nepal on August 26 after a massive flow of water, mud and debris moved downstream from the Himalayan border region. The disaster caused widespread destruction across northern and central Nepal, damaging homes, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure.

Death toll rises as search operations continue

According to figures reported by Nepal's disaster management authorities, the death toll has reached 788. At least 2,502 people were still reported missing, while 9,435 people had been rescued from affected areas. 

Search teams are continuing to recover bodies from affected districts as rescuers work through damaged settlements and debris. Authorities have warned that casualty and missing-person figures remain subject to change as search, identification and verification operations continue.

The Nepal government had earlier said that thousands of security personnel and helicopters had been deployed for rescue, relief and recovery operations. 

Indian nationals among those affected

India has also been closely monitoring the situation because a significant number of Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin were in the affected areas.

The Ministry of External Affairs had said that more than 275 Indian nationals and 128 persons of Indian origin were missing or non-contactable in Nepal at one stage of the rescue operation. The ministry subsequently shared a list of 149 Indian nationals who had been rescued. 

Indian authorities are continuing to coordinate with Nepalese officials to trace those who remain unaccounted for and facilitate the safe return of rescued Indian citizens.

Rescue teams face difficult conditions

Rescue operations have been complicated by difficult terrain, damaged infrastructure and rising water levels in some rivers. Authorities have urged residents and rescue personnel to remain alert after renewed increases in water levels were reported in the Bhotekoshi River. 

Specialised rescue teams from India, China and South Korea have also been assisting Nepal, particularly in operations involving people believed to be trapped inside tunnels at hydropower projects.

Nepal's Foreign Ministry said a specialised Indian team of 11 tunnel-rescue experts had been mobilised, along with teams from China and South Korea. An 18-member Indian forensic team specialising in DNA analysis has also reached Nepal to assist with identification of victims.

Hydropower projects remain a major focus

Several hydropower projects were severely affected by the flooding, with workers reported trapped in tunnels. Rescue teams have been working to reach these locations while dealing with debris and unstable conditions.

Reuters reported that hundreds of workers were believed to be trapped at hydropower projects, prompting Nepal to intensify rescue efforts and bring in heavy equipment and specialised teams.

The disaster has also damaged critical infrastructure and disrupted transportation links in affected parts of the country, increasing the difficulty of delivering relief supplies and reaching isolated communities.

Government urges reliance on verified information

The Nepal government has appealed to the public and media to rely on officially verified information because casualty, missing-person and damage figures are continuing to change.

Authorities are providing emergency medical care, food, drinking water, temporary shelter and other essential assistance to affected communities. The government is also monitoring river systems and downstream areas for the possibility of additional flooding during the ongoing rainy season. 

For India, the priority remains locating missing nationals, supporting those rescued and facilitating their onward travel. Meanwhile, Nepal's rescue teams continue searching affected areas as the country confronts one of its most severe recent flood disasters.