How to Help Nepal's Flood-Affected Families — Safely

How to Help Nepal's Flood-Affected Families — Safely

On the tenth of Bhadra, a flood on the Bhote Koshi caused severe loss of life and destruction across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Gorkha. Search and rescue operations are continuing, and the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.

Many people want to help. This short post is about making sure that help arrives where it is meant to.

The problem nobody expected

Alongside the disaster, something else is spreading: fraud.

Nepal Police has warned that fake QR codes and personal wallet numbers are circulating on social media, using the relief fund's name. Well-meaning people are sending money to strangers.

If you receive a donation QR code as a forwarded image, do not use it. There is no way to verify where an image came from or who created it.

Where to donate

The Government of Nepal has appealed for support to two official funds, both under the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers:

• The Prime Minister's Natural Disaster Relief Fund
• The Prime Minister's Relief Fund

By law, these funds can only be used for rescue, treatment, relief, rehabilitation and infrastructure restoration. They cannot be spent on administrative costs, and the accounts are audited annually.

Official notice and account details: moha.gov.np

Online donation portal: pmdrf.nchl.com.np

Please take the details from the official notice itself, not from any third-party page — including this one.

Emergency contacts

• Ministry of Home Affairs toll-free: 1112
• Ministry of Home Affairs: 01-4211208 / 01-4211214
• National Emergency Operation Center: 01-4200258

Cash helps more than goods

Aid organisations have been clear on this point. Cash allows local groups to buy and move supplies as needs shift on the ground. Collected goods often arrive late, in the wrong quantities, or cannot be transported to where they are needed.

If you are deciding between sending materials and sending money, send money.

And close to home

Not all help has to travel far.

Check on your neighbours — particularly anyone elderly, living alone, or on a ground floor. In a disaster, the person nearest to someone in trouble matters more than any organisation.

All information in this post is drawn from official Government of Nepal sources and was verified before publishing. Please confirm details against the official notice before transferring any amount.

FAQs 

What Happened in Nepal’s Flash Flood?

A major flash flood in Nepal occurred in the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa District at around 8:40 AM on 26 August 2026. The flooding caused significant loss of life and property and affected riverbank areas in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha. The Government of Nepal began search, rescue, and emergency relief operations while assessing the full extent of the damage. 

What Caused the Flash Flood in Nepal?

The immediate event was a massive flood in the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa District. The Government of Nepal has confirmed the flooding and its impact but has not, in the official appeal, established a specific underlying cause such as a glacier collapse. Authorities are continuing to assess the disaster, so claims about its precise cause should be verified against official updates. 

Was There a Glacier Collapse in Nepal?

Glacier collapse is one of the rapidly rising searches related to the Nepal flood, but it should not be presented as the confirmed cause of this event without evidence from authorities. The Government of Nepal's official appeal describes the disaster as a massive flood in the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa. Any connection between a glacier collapse and this flood requires confirmation from an official assessment. 

Which Areas Were Affected by the Nepal Flood?

The Nepal flood severely affected riverbank areas in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha districts. The Bhote Koshi River flood caused loss of life and extensive property damage, prompting government search, rescue, and emergency relief operations. Authorities are continuing to assess the human and material impact and are working to move survivors to safer locations. 

How Many People Died in the Nepal Flood?

The number of people who died in the Nepal flood can change as search and rescue operations continue and authorities verify reports. The Government of Nepal has stated that the full extent of the human and material damage is still being assessed. For the most accurate death toll, readers should rely on the latest official updates rather than figures shared through unverified social media posts.

How Can I Donate to Nepal Flood Victims?

You can support Nepal flood victims by donating through the official relief funds identified by the Government of Nepal: the Prime Minister's Natural Disaster Relief Fund and the Prime Minister's Relief Fund under the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. Donors should obtain account and payment details directly from official government notices and avoid unverified social media donation requests. 

Where Can I Make a Nepal Flood Donation Safely?

For a Nepal flood donation, use the official government-designated relief funds and verify the payment details before transferring money. Nepal Police has warned about fraudulent QR codes, personal wallet numbers, fake websites, and other scams using the names of disaster-relief funds. Do not donate through a QR code or payment account simply because it was forwarded through social media. 

Is the Nepal Flood Donation QR Code Safe?

A Nepal flood donation QR code should not automatically be considered safe. Nepal Police has warned that fraudulent QR codes and personal payment accounts may be circulated using the names of official disaster-relief funds. If you receive a donation QR code as a forwarded image, verify the recipient through an official Government of Nepal source before making any payment. 

What Does the Nepal Flood Before and After Comparison Show?

A Nepal flood before and after comparison can show changes to riverbanks, roads, bridges, homes and other infrastructure following the Bhote Koshi flood. However, images circulating online should be checked carefully because photographs can be old, incorrectly labelled or taken from another location. Before-and-after images are useful for illustrating physical damage but should not replace official damage assessments. 

How Can I Help Nepal Flood-Affected Families?

You can help Nepal flood-affected families by making a verified financial donation, supporting legitimate relief organizations, or helping vulnerable people in your own community. Financial assistance gives relief providers flexibility to respond to changing needs. If you are near an affected area, checking on elderly people, people living alone and other vulnerable neighbours can also provide immediate practical support. 

Should I Donate Goods or Money to Nepal Flood Victims?

For most people, donating money is more useful than sending unsolicited goods because relief organizations and local responders can purchase supplies according to changing needs. Unrequested goods may arrive late, be unsuitable for local conditions, or create additional transportation and storage challenges. Before sending physical materials, check whether a trusted relief organization has specifically requested those items. 

What Emergency Numbers Can I Call About the Nepal Flood?

The Ministry of Home Affairs' official disaster-relief appeal lists these contacts: 

Ministry of Home Affairs toll-free: 1112 

Ministry of Home Affairs: 01-4211208 / 01-4211214 

National Emergency Operation Center: 01-4200258 

The Ministry's official appeal confirms these contact details.