KATHMANDU, NEPAL / RankWire.AI / – Floodwaters sweeping across Nepal and Tibet have resulted in at least 919 fatalities, with 4,793 individuals still unaccounted for following the disaster on August 26. Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority announced that by Monday, the death toll in Nepal had risen to 903, with 4,247 missing persons. Meanwhile, Tibetan officials reported 16 deaths and 546 missing persons in Gyirong County. The total figures have increased significantly from weekend reports as search operations expanded into more flood-affected zones and records of missing persons were updated.
Rescue efforts have successfully evacuated 10,451 individuals to safety, including 252 foreign nationals. The authorities continue to list 592 foreigners among the missing, along with 933 workers involved in hydropower projects along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers. A total of 267 people are reported injured, with 156 having been discharged after treatment. Over 20,000 security personnel have been deployed across affected districts to carry out search, rescue, and relief operations. Helicopters are actively transporting survivors and supplies to isolated communities in need.
The flooding originated from the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa District early on August 26. It inundated settlements along the riverbanks and caused damage to homes, roads, bridges, hydropower stations, and other vital infrastructure. Authorities indicated that Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha districts suffered major impacts as floodwaters coursed through interconnected river systems. The disaster also affected Gyirong County in Tibet, where search teams are still exploring mountain valleys and border zones. Investigations are ongoing to determine the sequence of events that led to the flooding.
Rescue operations target missing workers and remote regions
Efforts are currently concentrated on hydropower sites where many workers remain unaccounted for. Nepal Army units are working alongside tunnel rescue specialists from India, China, and South Korea at various locations. Authorities estimate that at least 90 individuals are trapped inside multiple hydropower tunnels blocked by mud, rocks, and debris. Rescuers employ drilling, ventilation, and heavy machinery to navigate unstable terrain and compromised access routes. Authorities are also cross-checking worker lists as project operators and families report missing personnel.
Additionally, recovery teams are managing large quantities of unidentified bodies carried downstream by the floodwaters. Twenty-one hospitals are currently holding unclaimed remains, while officials are comparing records and seeking relatives’ information. In Chitwan, authorities have collected DNA samples and other identifying details before conducting temporary burials for some bodies. The number of recovered bodies may fluctuate as teams continue to identify remains and reconcile reports. Search efforts extend to isolated communities where damaged roads and bridges hinder access.
Foreign nationals among the missing across the border regions
Foreign nationals are still prominently listed among the missing persons on both sides of the border. Nepal reports 592 foreigners missing, while Tibetan authorities list 261 foreign nationals among 546 unaccounted-for individuals. The Tibetan missing include citizens from Nepal, India, Latvia, the United States, and Britain, among other nations. Authorities in Kathmandu and Tibet are working together to verify identities and gather information on citizens who crossed the border before the flood. Consular teams are also assisting families in confirming names and locations of their loved ones.
Nepal’s government emphasizes that search, rescue, relief, and recovery efforts are the top priorities in the disaster zone. Monitoring of river flows and downstream flood risks continues, alongside ongoing delivery of food, medical supplies, and emergency aid. The floods have displaced many residents and caused extensive damage to transportation and power infrastructure across affected regions. Officials have urged the public to rely solely on verified casualty and missing-person figures as agencies work to reconcile field reports. As of the latest counts on Monday, the combined toll from Nepal and Tibet stands at 919 deaths and 4,793 missing persons.