Nepal is facing a massive recovery challenge after the devastating floods and landslides of August 26 killed more than 1,300 people and left over 5,000 missing. The disaster, linked to a glacial collapse in the Himalayan region, has destroyed homes and critical infrastructure and left the country seeking billions of dollars for reconstruction.
Nepal is now seeking around $5 billion in international assistance for the initial phase of rebuilding, with officials expected to approach international financial institutions and donor countries for support. The government has also framed the appeal as a matter of climate justice, arguing that vulnerable countries such as Nepal face severe climate-related disasters despite contributing relatively little to global greenhouse gas emissions.
Death Toll Crosses 1,300 as Search Operations Continue
The human toll continues to rise as rescue teams search through debris and damaged infrastructure.
Recent reports put the death toll at more than 1,300, while more than 5,000 people remain missing. The disaster has affected areas of Nepal as well as China's Tibet region, with foreign nationals among those still unaccounted for.
Rescue teams have been working across difficult mountain terrain, damaged roads and hydropower facilities. Several international teams, including specialists from India, China and South Korea, are assisting Nepalese authorities.
Hydropower Projects Become Major Rescue Zones
The disaster has particularly affected Nepal's hydropower sector, with workers trapped or missing at several project sites.
Around 900 hydropower workers were reported missing during the early stages of the rescue effort, with roughly 500 believed to be trapped inside tunnels. International specialists have joined Nepalese rescuers in attempts to reach workers through damaged tunnel systems.
The rescue operation has already produced some breakthroughs. A Chinese worker was rescued from a hydropower tunnel after rescuers reached him more than 200 metres inside the structure. Other survivors have also been pulled from damaged areas days after the disaster.
India Steps Up Relief and Rescue Assistance
India has expanded its humanitarian assistance to Nepal as rescue and recovery operations continue.
Recent Indian assistance includes more than 130 tonnes of relief material delivered through multiple flights and the deployment of 54 specialised personnel for tunnel rescue, forensic and medical operations. The equipment supplied includes rescue gear, generators, lighting equipment, pumps and other material needed in difficult terrain.
Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs said India had supplied relief material and deployed tunnel rescue experts, forensic specialists and medical personnel to assist Nepal's authorities.
Roads, Bridges and Power Infrastructure Hit Hard
The disaster has caused extensive damage to infrastructure that is essential for Nepal's economy and connectivity.
Roads, bridges, homes, hydropower facilities and cross-border trade routes have been damaged or destroyed. The Gyirong border crossing between Nepal and Tibet was also devastated, disrupting an important trade and transport route.
Hydropower is another major concern because the sector is central to Nepal's electricity generation and economic plans. Several facilities were damaged in the disaster, adding to the long-term reconstruction burden.
Nepal Seeks Global Support for Long Recovery
The scale of destruction means Nepal's challenge now extends well beyond immediate rescue operations.
The country's government estimates that billions of dollars will be needed to rebuild infrastructure and restore livelihoods. Reuters reported that Nepal's initial international funding appeal covers the first phase of recovery and is being discussed with institutions including the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.
For Nepal, the priority is shifting from saving lives to rebuilding communities while continuing searches for thousands of missing people.
The disaster has also renewed questions about climate resilience, glacier monitoring and the vulnerability of Himalayan infrastructure to extreme events. Nepal is expected to push the issue of climate finance and support for climate-vulnerable nations on international platforms in the coming weeks.
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