Flash floods that swept through the Bhotekoshi‑Trishuli river basin in Nepal over the past week have left a large number of children without reliable access to safe drinking water, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The agency estimates that at least 22,000 children are currently in urgent need of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) support.

The sudden rise in water levels caused extensive damage to local infrastructure, including wells, pipelines and community water points. Many households in the affected districts reported loss of their primary water sources, forcing families to rely on untreated surface water or makeshift supplies. The disruption has heightened the risk of water‑borne diseases, particularly among children who are more vulnerable to infections.

UNICEF highlighted that the lack of adequate sanitation facilities compounds the health threat. Contaminated water and insufficient hygiene provisions can lead to outbreaks of diarrheal illnesses, which are a leading cause of child mortality in the region. The organization is coordinating with Nepalese authorities and partner NGOs to deliver emergency WASH kits, restore damaged water points, and set up temporary latrines where needed.

The agency’s assessment comes as humanitarian actors continue to evaluate the broader impact of the floods on education, nutrition and shelter. While exact figures on displaced families remain to be confirmed, the focus on children reflects UNICEF’s mandate to protect the most vulnerable populations in disaster settings.

UNICEF officials have called for increased funding and logistical support to scale up the emergency response. They emphasized that timely provision of safe water and sanitation services is essential to prevent secondary health crises and to support the recovery of affected communities.

The situation remains fluid, with authorities monitoring river levels and weather forecasts for further rainfall. International donors and regional partners are being urged to contribute resources to sustain the ongoing relief operations and to help rebuild resilient water infrastructure in the flood‑prone basin.

Reporting attribution: based on reporting by UN News — Global — original source: https://news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2026/09/1168269.