KATHMANDU, NEPAL / RankWire.AI / – Flooding across Nepal and Tibet has killed at least 919 people, while 4,793 remain missing after the August 26 disaster. Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said the country’s toll reached 903 dead and 4,247 missing on Monday. Tibetan officials reported 16 deaths and 546 missing in Gyirong County. The combined figures rose sharply from weekend counts as search teams reached more flood-hit areas and updated missing-person records.
The Nepal authority mentioned rescue teams have evacuated 10,451 individuals to safety, including 252 foreign nationals. It also listed 592 foreigners among those still unaccounted for, alongside 933 workers involved in hydropower projects along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli corridors. Officials reported 267 injured individuals, with 156 having been discharged after treatment. Nepal has mobilized over 20,000 security personnel to assist with search, rescue, and relief efforts across affected districts. Helicopters are actively transporting survivors and emergency supplies between isolated communities.
The flood impacted the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa District on the morning of August 26. It inundated riverbank settlements and caused extensive damage to homes, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities, and other vital infrastructure. Authorities indicated that Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha experienced severe effects as floodwaters traversed connected river systems. The disaster also affected Gyirong County in Tibet, where rescue teams continue their search through mountain valleys and border regions. Investigations are ongoing to determine the precise sequence of events that triggered the flooding.
Rescue efforts focus on missing workers and remote locations
Search operations are primarily targeting hydropower sites where numerous workers remain unaccounted for. Nepal Army personnel are coordinating with tunnel rescue specialists from India, China, and South Korea at multiple locations. Officials estimate that at least 90 individuals are trapped within several hydropower tunnels blocked by mud, rocks, and debris. Rescuers are employing drilling, ventilation systems, and heavy machinery while navigating unstable ground and compromised access routes. Authorities are also cross-checking worker lists as project operators and families report missing personnel.
Recovery teams are managing large quantities of unidentified bodies washed downstream by the floodwaters. Twenty-one hospitals are currently holding unidentified remains, with officials comparing records and seeking relatives’ information. In Chitwan, authorities collected DNA samples and identification details before conducting temporary burials for some of the bodies. The disaster management agency emphasized that the number of recovered bodies may fluctuate as teams verify identities and resolve duplicate or incomplete reports. Additionally, search crews are inspecting isolated communities where damaged roads and bridges have hindered access.
Foreign nationals continue to be among the unaccounted-for individuals
Foreign nationals still constitute a significant portion of the missing-person figures on both sides of the border. Nepal reports 592 foreigners missing, whereas Tibetan authorities list 261 foreign nationals among 546 missing persons there. The Tibetan list includes citizens from Nepal, India, Latvia, the United States, and Britain, among others. Authorities in Kathmandu and Tibet are working together to verify identities and gather information about individuals who crossed the border prior to the flood. Consular teams are also assisting families in confirming names and whereabouts.
Nepal’s government states that search, rescue, relief, and recovery operations are now top priorities in the disaster zone. Officials continue to monitor river levels and downstream flood hazards while distributing food, medical supplies, and other emergency resources. The flood has displaced many residents and caused extensive damage to transportation and power infrastructure across affected regions. Authorities urge the public to rely on verified casualty and missing-person data as agencies work to reconcile field reports. As of Monday’s latest official counts, Nepal and Tibet together recorded 919 deaths and 4,793 individuals missing.