Trekking in Nepal after the flash floods

Trekking in Nepal after the flash floods

At this point, some may be thinking: Is it safe for me to trek in Nepal after the August 26 floods? The answer is a resounding YES. All trekking regions in Nepal are safe. Besides the roads connecting Kathmandu to Langtang and some other destinations, all trekking routes, lodges and infrastructure remain intact. (See below description of which areas have been most affected by the floods). We are all awaiting the arrival of trekkers in the Autumn season.

Others probably wonder is it ethical to travel to a country that has endured so much death and destruction? The physical devastation caused by the floods is estimated to be around $4-5 billion – a 10th of Nepal’s economy. If people do not continue with their plans to travel the damage to the already fragile economy would be more devastating. Guides, porters, lodges, hotels, airlines, transport providers, and tour and trek operators depend on visitors for a living. The tourism industry, the second largest industry in Nepal, provides employment both directly and indirectly to millions of Nepalis. Tourist $’s/Euro’s/Pounds/Yens etc will have a big positive impact on the country’s recovery. So, again, YES, please do continue with your plans to visit Nepal. It is NOT UNETHICAL to travel to Nepal at this stage. You would be doing more harm than good by changing travel plans.

Here is a VIDEO of Nepal’s Tourism Minister, Khadak Raj Paudel, requesting all travelers to continue with their plans to visit Nepal this upcoming season.

Damage from the Flash Flood

The flash floods of August 26, 2026 have left behind at least 1,114 dead; 4,000 are still missing. The missing include not just Nepalis but also Indians, Americans, Australians and Malaysians. It would take a miracle to find survivors as it has already been 7 days since the disastrous floods carrying 2.2 million tonnes of debris ravaged through villages and towns located on the banks of the Bhote Koshi river and further down stream. Infrastructure including 22 concrete bridges, people’s homes, schools, roads, a dozen hydro-power plants etc were destroyed.

Balenda Shah, the Prime Minister of Nepal, told parliament on Wednesday the disaster “snatched away mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers from us in an instant”. 84,270 people have been affected across 17 municipalities in six districts. It looks like natural and man-made calamities are the norm. It was first the two earthquakes in 2015, COVID, the Melamchi flooding, Thame mudslides and now the Rasuwa floods.

What caused the flood

Scientists are attributing the deadly floods to a glacier collapse. The glacier collapse that triggered the landslide is believed to have happened on Mount Langtang Lirung. See New York Times video. An enormous chunk of glacier had broken off and plunged into the river below — a roughly 7,000-foot drop. The glacier that fell was approximately 2,000 feet wide. It was initially reported as an earthquake by the US Geological Survey’s automated earthquake detection network. However, later, it was understood that the shaking was caused by an exceptionally powerful glacier collapse and debris flow, equivalent to a magnitude 5.2 earthquake.

While most flash floods are caused by heavy rainfall, but in the Himalayas, they can also result from landslides and avalanches.

Treks in Nepal impacted by the flood

Flood Update — *Regions affected by the Flash Floods*

The above image should help you understand the places impacted by the flood. Also check out this google link to see where the Bhote Koshi river, which is where the floods originated, flows to become the Trishuli river.

1) Langtang Trek:

The biggest and most direct impact of the flood is on the LANGTANG TREK. The avalanche that triggered the landslide is believed to have occurred on Mount Langtang Lirung. While the Langtang trek route itself did not suffer any damage, it was the villages and towns on the Bhote Koshi river valley which were destroyed. This includes the towns of Syabrubesi and Dhunche which are the starting points of the Langtang trek. The Langtang trek follows the Langtang river to Langtang village. The road connecting Kathmandu to Syabrubesi and Dhunche has also been destroyed.

There is very little possibility of the road linking Kathmandu to the Langtang region being repaired in time for treks this Autumn. It is still possible to get to Langtang but one would have to trek on a longer route either from Melamchi Gaon or Kutumsang over the Laurebinayak pass to Gosaikunda Lake and then descend to the Langtang valley. Return would be on the same route. So the Langtang trek would take twice as longer than before.

2) Annapurna treks:

A few days ago, a landslide that occurred due to the rising level of the Trishuli river, caused a chunk of the road on the Tribhuwan Highway which links Kathmandu to Pokhara to be washed away. It must be understood that the Trishuli river veers South at Mugling which is mid-way on the Kathmandu to Pokhara highway. The road from Mugling onwards to Pokhara has not been impacted at all.

The blocked road impacts treks mostly in the Annapurna region including the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Khopra Ridge Trek, Upper Musang Trek and the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek. There are other alternative roads that one can take to go to Pokhara for the Annapurna Treks (or to Besi Sahar for the Annapurna Circuit Trek). They are just a bit longer and sections of it are not paved. This road is VERY IMPORTANT as it is the life-line for Kathmandu. It is used to transport goods and supplies to Kathmandu. This means that the Government will do all it can to get this road operational as soon as possible. One can also always fly to Pokhara and back.

3) Manaslu Circuit Trek:

Among the 22 concrete bridges washed away by the floods on the Trishuli river, one of them included the bridge connecting the Prithvi Highway to Arughat where the Manaslu Circuit Trek begins. This just means that one would have to take an alternate route on an unpaved track which will take 1-2 hours longer to get to the starting point of the trek.

In summary, besides the Langtang region, it is POSSIBLE TO TREK TO ALL REGIONS OF NEPAL.

Relief work and reconstruction

Rescue efforts by Nepal’s security forces and international rescue experts are ongoing as there are many who are believed to have been stuck in the hydro-power tunnels. There are also many organizations currently working to provide relief in the area. I would recommend the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund as a reliable place to donate by credit card in US$.

Reconstruction work will continue several years after this disaster. Much has been lost and help will be needed. It is possible that entire villages will have to be relocated. Three Summits for Nepal will assess where we can help; be it rebuilding schools or personal homes. We will at that time seek help from our ever supportive donors. You can always remain assured that our administrative expenses will be minimal.

Trekking in Nepal after the flash floods