Salesian Response to Nepal’s Devastating Flood
(ANS – Mugling, Nepal – September 7, 2026) – On August 26, a sudden surge in the Bhote Koshi River, on the border between Nepal and Tibet, triggered by the collapse of a glacial mass and an ice avalanche, caused a devastating flood in the districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Chitwan. The force of the water, accompanied by mud and debris (with some waves reportedly reaching heights of 25 feet and more), swept through the town of Mugling, destroying entire villages, roads, and infrastructure. Faced with this emergency, the Salesians were quick to provide a concrete response.
The
conditions in which they are operating are far from straightforward. Rescue
workers, hampered by the destruction, continue to search for survivors. To
date, the death toll stands at over 1,200; more than 4,200 people are still
missing, according to the latest figures released by the Nepalese disaster
management authority. Thousands of people have lost everything. The lack of
safe water and adequate hygiene further increases the risk of disease and
infection, particularly in places where displaced people are forced to live in
overcrowded conditions. Two pupils from a Salesian school have lost their
parents, and many other families are in the affected areas. Fortunately, the
Salesian communities have not been directly affected.
The
Salesian response
From
the outset, the Salesians mobilized a team from the Nepal Don Bosco Society to
tackle the emergency and coordinate aid for the displaced, beginning to collect
food and relief supplies to store them in local collection centers and
distribute them as quickly as possible. The team met with local authorities,
secured the necessary coordination and approval for emergency response
activities, carried out a rapid assessment of emergency needs and
beneficiaries, and established a mechanism for delivering immediate assistance
to the most vulnerable families.
Currently,
the missionaries have managed to reach Bidur Town Hall in Nuwakot, but have
been unable to continue on to Timure and Rasuwa due to a sudden rise in the
river level, which has further damaged the already compromised road. For this
reason, the army is organizing the distribution of relief supplies to
inaccessible areas, using helicopters where road transport is no longer
possible. The Salesians are working on a strategic and operational plan to
coordinate emergency response, future reconstruction, and the socio-economic
recovery of the affected area.
For
further information, including on how to support the displaced population in
the wake of this immense tragedy, please visit the “Missioni Don Bosco” website.
