Flash floods struck Nepal's Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading districts on 26 August 2026, affecting at least 17,000 children, UNICEF said in a press release dated 27 August 2026. The agency reported an estimated 332 deaths, including at least 14 children. At the time of that release, hundreds remained missing, and UNICEF expected the numbers to rise as search operations continued.

UNICEF said entire communities were swept away or cut off, with roads, bridges, hydropower facilities, water systems and telecommunications networks badly damaged, leaving affected areas largely inaccessible. At least four health facilities were severely damaged, and 18 schools were completely destroyed while a further 20 sustained damage. UNICEF estimated that 10,000 school-age children required urgent support at the time of the release to continue their education, including temporary learning centres, replacement learning materials and psychosocial support for children and teachers.

Working with the Government of Nepal and humanitarian partners, UNICEF said it was scaling up support across health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, education, child protection and social protection. Pre-positioned supplies, including medical tents, bed nets, newborn kits and therapeutic food, were to be dispatched to the hardest-hit communities in the days following the release, while emergency hygiene kits were already reaching households. UNICEF appealed for US$17.2 million to sustain its emergency response and support early recovery until the full extent of needs is assessed.