NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Sugar Land, TX, August 30, 2026: Sewa International USA has released $100,000 for flood relief in Nepal as its volunteers work on the ground to assist stranded people and provide emergency aid in areas devastated by catastrophic flash floods.
Sewa International Nepal volunteers are supporting relief efforts in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading, according to a press release issued Aug. 29.
The organization has also launched a “Nepal Flash Flood Relief” fundraiser, which raised more than $55,000 in its first 24 hours.
“Flash floods have devastated parts of Nepal, killing hundreds and sweeping away many devotees gathered for the Kailash Yatra. It is heart-wrenching to see the suffering and grief of people,” said Srikanth Gundavarapu, president of Sewa International USA.
Sewa is also establishing a dedicated helpdesk to collect and share information about Americans reported missing or stranded in Nepal and to coordinate with their families and community members.
Catastrophic flash floods struck northern Nepal on Aug. 26 following a glacier collapse, avalanche and landslide. The death toll has reached 626, with at least 2,478 people missing, including 777 foreign nationals. An estimated 93,000 people had been severely affected and more than 3,700 rescued.
Floodwaters carrying mud, rocks and debris swept through Himalayan river valleys, destroying homes, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities, water systems and communication networks, complicating rescue and relief operations. Sewa said a few of its U.S. volunteers who were at the Nepal-Tibet border when the disaster struck remain missing.
“Sewa Nepal volunteers are actively supporting the ground response by transporting relief materials to affected communities and assisting with local distribution and relief coordination,” Gundavarapu said. “Sewa stands with the people of Nepal and is committed to continuing relief work and taking up recovery and rebuilding efforts.”
Vinayak Astekar, Sewa’s associate director for disaster response, said the organization’s immediate priority is helping families who have lost their homes or are stranded and facing hunger, cold and health emergencies.
“We are working with Sewa International Bharat (India), sister organizations, and community partners to mobilize essential supplies, daily necessities, and volunteers,” Astekar said.
Within 48 hours, Sewa said it had mobilized shelter, food, medical, protective and rescue-support supplies. These included 300 heavy-duty 12-by-15-foot tarpaulins, foam mattresses, raincoats, ponchos, floating foam, water bottles, ration kits and other supplies. Medical supplies included paracetamol and approximately 5,000 packets of oral rehydration solution.
The organization is collaborating with the San Antonio Nepali Association, Nepali community partners in North Carolina, Aum Ashram San Antonio, Hindus of Greater Houston and its broader network.
Sewa has also formed a missing-person tracking group, with about 75 people registered to locate loved ones, and said the group plans to publish daily updates.
