US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed solidarity with Nepal following devastating flash floods that have claimed 157 lives and left hundreds of people missing, including security personnel and tourists. Washington has signalled it stands ready to extend humanitarian assistance to the Himalayan nation as rescue operations continue.

Rubio's Statement and US Offer of Assistance

In a post on X, Rubio said, “We express our solidarity and are united in prayer for the Nepali people following the devastating floods. US State Department stands ready to support the Government of Nepal with needed humanitarian assistance.” The statement marks one of the first high-level diplomatic responses from a major power to the disaster.

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor also extended condolences, posting on X: “My sincere condolences to the people of Nepal on the devastating floods. Our hearts are with the families who have lost loved ones.” Gor additionally urged American citizens in Nepal to follow the US Embassy Nepal account for real-time updates and to enrol in the Smart Traveller Enrollment Program.

Rivers in Spate: Affected Districts and Travel Restrictions

The US Embassy in Nepal issued an advisory for American nationals in affected zones, citing severe flooding in Rasuwa and warnings for communities along the Bhote Koshi, Trishuli, and Narayani rivers. Citizens in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Chitwan, and Tanahun districts were urged to stay away from riverbanks, seek higher ground, and follow local authority instructions.

Nepali authorities have restricted travel along the Prithvi Highway, the Galchhi–Nuwakot–Rasuwa–Syafrubesi road, and the Mugling–Narayangadh road. Communications remain disrupted across the Rasuwa-affected belt, with the embassy advising those who are safe to use text, email, or messaging apps to contact family and tour operators when voice calls fail.

Tracking Missing Americans

The US Embassy confirmed it is actively working to account for American citizens who may have been caught in the flooding. It urged those in affected areas to email KathmanduACS@state.gov with their full name, current location, status, and tour or trekking company details. The advisory reflects the significant number of foreign trekkers and tourists present in Nepal's mountain regions during the monsoon season.

Scale of the Disaster

The flash floods, which struck multiple river valleys across central and northern Nepal, represent one of the country's deadliest monsoon events in recent years. With 157 confirmed deaths and hundreds still unaccounted for — among them security personnel deployed in relief operations and tourists on trekking routes — the full toll is expected to rise as teams reach more remote areas. This comes amid a broader pattern of intensifying monsoon flooding across South Asia, with climate scientists linking increased frequency of extreme precipitation events to rising regional temperatures.

As international offers of support begin arriving, attention will turn to whether Nepal's disaster management infrastructure can coordinate external aid efficiently while ongoing search-and-rescue operations remain the immediate priority.