Date: September 3, 2026

The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) is deeply concerned that, despite eight days having passed since journalists and family members of journalists went missing following the devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa on August 27, 2026, search and rescue efforts have yet to be carried out.

The FNJ is also concerned about the delay in assessing the damage suffered by journalists whose private houses and vehicles were damaged, as well as the damage caused to the offices of media organizations, and in providing compensation for the losses.

The FNJ has today written to the Minister for Home Affairs and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, urging the government to immediately intensify search and rescue efforts for the missing journalists and their family members and to provide immediate compensation to journalists and media organizations affected by the disaster.

In its letter to the Home Minister, the FNJ has urged the government to take positive and immediate initiatives in this regard. Similarly, the FNJ has requested the Foreign Minister to initiate diplomatic efforts with neighboring countries, China and India, to support the search and rescue of those who remain missing.

The FNJ has also informed the government of the details it has received so far.

The details are as follows:

Journalists and Family Members Missing / Out of Contact

1. Tek Bahadur Thami, Naya Patrika Daily, Dolakha
2. Shekhar Dhungana, along with his wife, member of the FNJ Bhaktapur Chapter, Bhaktapur
3. Rajkumar Nepali, Radio Rajmarg, Nuwakot
4. Suresh Simkhada, Publisher, Shilapatra.com, Kathmandu, along with his mother and elder sister
5. Family members of journalist Nirajan Poudel (Ratopati.com), including his father, mother, uncle, aunt, and younger sister

Damage to Houses and Vehicles

1. Shiva Devkota, immediate past President, FNJ Bagmati Province Committee, Nuwakot — motorcycle swept away by the flood
2. Bipin Malla Thakuri, Radio Aajmarg, Dhading — house damaged in Baireni Bazaar
3. Sunny Shrestha Subas, Lokpath.com, Nuwakot — house damaged in Bhaise
4. Kiran Adhikari, Sundardevi Sandesh Weekly, Nuwakot — house damaged in Dhunge Bazaar, Bidur-1, Nuwakot
5. Ram Chandra Aryal, Himalaya Television, Nuwakot — house damaged
6. Laxman Dangol, member, FNJ Kathmandu Chapter — house swept away

Affected Media Organizations

1. Rasuwa FM — radio broadcasting halted due to disruption of electricity
2. Radio Langtang, Rasuwa — radio broadcasting halted due to disruption of electricity
3. Radio Bhairavi, Nuwakot — radio broadcasting halted for several days due to disruption of electricity
4. Jalapa Radio, Nuwakot — radio broadcasting halted due to disruption of electricity
5. Radio Nuwakot — broadcasting disrupted due to damage to electrical, fiber-optic, backup, and other equipment at the radio station

Ram Prasad Dahal
General Secretary