Sewa International USA Launches Nepal Flood Relief and Missing-Person Helpdesk

SUGAR LAND, Texas, Aug. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sewa International USA has released $100,000 for Nepal Flood Relief, while volunteers work on the ground to rescue stranded people and provide emergency assistance. Sewa International Nepal volunteers are supporting relief efforts in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading.

"Sewa has started a fundraiser, 'Nepal Flash Flood Relief,' and raised over $55,000 in the last 24 hours," said Srikanth Gundavarapu, President of Sewa International USA. "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."

Sewa is appealing to support the fundraiser and is establishing a dedicated helpdesk to collect and share information about Americans reported missing or stranded in Nepal and coordinate with concerned families and community members https://sewausa.org/NepalRescue.

Devastating Floods

On August 26, catastrophic flash floods struck northern Nepal following a glacier collapse, avalanche, and landslide. At the time of writing this article, the death toll has risen to 626, with at least 2,478 people missing, including 777 foreign nationals. An estimated 93,000 people have been severely affected, and more than 3,700 have been rescued.

Floodwaters carried mud, rocks, and debris through Himalayan river valleys, destroying homes, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities, water systems, and communication networks and making rescue and relief efforts challenging. A few of our Sewa International USA volunteers who were at the Nepal-Tibet border at the time of this tragedy are still 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."

Lost Homes, Stranded People

"Sewa's immediate priority is to help families who have lost their homes, are stranded, and face hunger, cold, and health emergencies," said Vinayak Astekar, Sewa's Associate Director for Disaster Response. "We are working with Sewa International Bharat (India), sister organizations, and community partners to mobilize essential supplies, daily necessities, and volunteers."

Within 48 hours, Sewa mobilized shelter, protective, food, medical, and rescue-support supplies, including 300 heavy-duty 12-by-15-foot tarpaulins, foam mattresses, raincoats, ponchos, floating foam, water bottles, ration kits, cookies, and volunteer jackets. Medical supplies include paracetamol and approximately 5,000 packets of oral rehydration solution.

Partnering with Community

Sewa is collaborating with the San Antonio Nepali Association (SANA), Nepali community partners in North Carolina, Aum Ashram San Antonio, Hindus of Greater Houston and its broader network. Sewa has formed a missing-person tracking group, with about 75 people registered to locate loved ones. The group plans to publish daily updates.

Donors can support Sewa's Nepal Flash Flood Relief efforts at: https://sewausa.org/NepalFlashFloodRelief 

About Sewa International

Sewa International USA (www.sewausa.org) is a 501(c)(3) Hindu faith-based charitable nonprofit that works in the areas of disaster recovery, education, and development. Sewa has 46 Chapters across the USA and serves regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin.

Media Contact:
Nikhil Jain: +1-713-834-4909
Vidyasagar Tontalapur: +1-949-414-6624
Email: [email protected]
Web: https://sewausa.org/ 

SOURCE Sewa International