Nepal's devastating monsoon floods have claimed at least 579 lives, with 1,924 people still unaccounted for as of Friday evening, 28 August, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). In a parallel humanitarian measure, Nepal has waived trekking fees for foreign pilgrims returning from the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage through the western Hilsa border point in Humla district, after catastrophic flooding along the Bhote Koshi River severed key border routes.

The Scale of the Disaster

The NDRRMA confirmed that bodies of 579 people swept away by the floods had been recovered by Friday, while 1,924 individuals remained out of contact. The flooding has caused widespread destruction to roads, bridges, and critical infrastructure — particularly along the Rasuwa-Timure corridor leading to the Nepal-China border, a primary artery for pilgrims and traders alike. This comes amid an unusually severe monsoon season that has battered multiple districts across the country.

Fee Waiver and Relief Measures for Pilgrims

Nepal's Department of Immigration issued a notice on Friday, 28 August, announcing a one-week waiver of the US$50 per person per week trekking fee normally levied on foreign nationals transiting through the Hilsa border point — an area classified as a restricted zone requiring special permits. The waiver took effect on 27 August.

Authorities cited the 'prevailing adverse situation' and the imperative to prioritise humanitarian safety. Beyond the fee waiver, the department has also suspended the mandatory requirement for pilgrims to be accompanied by a licensed trekking guide, and has waived the compulsory insurance requirement for foreign nationals and guides using this route.

Who Is Affected and How Many

According to the Immigration Department, as of 26 August, a total of 93 foreign nationals had obtained departure permits from its office in Rasuwa — of whom 32 were Indian nationals. These pilgrims, who had originally departed via the Rasuwagadhi route, are now being redirected through the Hilsa crossing as an alternative exit point following the route's closure.

The Rasuwagadhi corridor had in recent years emerged as one of the principal routes for Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage traffic. Its effective closure due to flood damage represents a significant disruption for the annual pilgrimage season, which draws thousands of devotees — predominantly from India — each year.

Infrastructure Damage and Ongoing Challenges

Flooding along the Bhote Koshi River has damaged roads, bridges, and associated infrastructure along the Rasuwa-Timure route, rendering continued operation of the corridor untenable in the near term. Authorities are working to facilitate the safe passage of stranded pilgrims through the Hilsa alternative, though the terrain in Humla district — remote and high-altitude — poses its own logistical challenges.

Relief and rescue operations are ongoing across flood-affected districts. The full extent of infrastructure damage and the final missing-persons count are expected to rise as teams reach more remote areas.

What Happens Next

The one-week fee and documentation waiver is set to remain in effect while the emergency situation persists, with authorities expected to reassess conditions before the window closes. The Indian government is also likely to monitor developments closely given the 32 Indian nationals among those holding Rasuwa departure permits. Restoration of the Rasuwagadhi route will depend on the pace of post-flood infrastructure repair, which could take weeks to months given the scale of damage.