Nepal’s beautiful Rasuwa region has long been a popular destination for travellers venturing to the district’s spiritual sites and gorgeous mountainous scenery. However, after a suspected glacial collapse in Tibet, both places were ravaged by fatal flash floods, which have wiped out villages and killed hundreds of locals and tourists.
Transport and communications infrastructure has been destroyed, and as well as the ever-growing number of fatalities, there are still hundreds of people missing. Here is everything you need to know if you have travel plans, and how you can help those affected right now.
Is it safe to travel to Nepal?
Right now, it’s not advisable to travel to Nepal. Major flooding hit Nepal’s Rasuwa district (and the Tibetan border) on Wednesday August 26, and has caused severe destruction and an ever-growing number of fatalities.
It was likely caused by a glacial collapse in the Himalayas, and has led to the destruction of entire villages as well as other buildings, roads, and transport and communications infrastructure.
The region is a popular pilgrimage destination, with trekkers travelling to visit sacred sites like Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in Tibet, according to The Independent.
At the time of writing, the official death toll has reached 543, according to the Guardian. Hundreds of nationals and travellers are still missing, including 33 British tourists.
What is the latest government travel advice?
The UK government’s FCDO advice page for Nepal has been updated in light of the flooding. It reads: ‘On 26 August 2026, major flooding in Rasuwa district and the Nepal-China border area caused widespread damage. Buildings, roads, other transport and communications infrastructure have been severely damaged. Other areas in Nepal, including Chitwan, have also been affected.’
‘The Nepalese authorities and emergency services are responding. The authorities have warned of the risk of further flooding. The situation may change rapidly. If you are travelling in the region, follow the advice of the Nepalese government and local authorities and be alert to the changing situation. The Nepalese government has established a toll-free emergency Nepalese language number, 1234, and a dedicated hotline 1144 accessible in Nepal.’
‘If you are affected and need assistance from the UK government, call: +977 (0)14237100 from Nepal and +44 (0) 207 008 5000 from the UK. You can also sign up to get email notifications.’
Can I get a refund if I cancel my trip?
Despite the shocking levels of destruction, travel to Nepal has not been explicitly advised against. This means you’ll have to consult your travel provider directly to see what can be done about cancelling or rescheduling your trip, though companies aren’t automatically obligated to provide you with a refund unless advice from the government changes.
How you can help people affected by the floods in Nepal and Tibet
Thousands of people have been affected by the floods, so below is a list of just some of the charities collecting donations to provide disaster relief right now, including links to their funds.
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