KATHMANDU, NEPAL / RankWire.AI / – Across Nepal and Tibet, recent floodwaters have claimed at least 919 lives, with 4,793 individuals still unaccounted for following the disaster on August 26. Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority announced on Monday that the death toll in Nepal reached 903, with 4,247 people listed as missing. Meanwhile, Tibetan officials reported 16 fatalities and 546 missing persons in Gyirong County. The total figures have surged from weekend estimates as rescue efforts expanded to more flood-affected zones and records of missing persons were updated.
Nepal’s authorities reported that rescue operations have successfully evacuated 10,451 individuals to safety, including 252 foreign nationals. Additionally, 592 foreigners remain among those still missing, alongside 933 workers involved in hydropower projects along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli routes. The official count also includes 267 injured persons, with 156 having been discharged after receiving medical treatment. Over 20,000 security personnel have been deployed across the affected districts for search, rescue, and relief efforts. Helicopters are actively transporting survivors and essential supplies to communities cut off by the floods.
The flood originated from the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa District early on August 26. The deluge swept through settlements along the riverbanks, destroying homes, roads, bridges, hydropower stations, and other vital infrastructure. Authorities indicated that Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha experienced severe impacts as floodwaters traveled through interconnected river systems. The catastrophe also affected Gyirong County in Tibet, where rescue teams are continuing their search through mountain valleys and border zones. Investigations are ongoing to determine the complete sequence of events that caused the flooding.
Rescue efforts focus on missing workers and hard-to-reach regions
Teams engaged in search and rescue are prioritizing hydropower sites where many workers remain unaccounted for. Nepal Army personnel are working alongside tunnel rescue specialists from India, China, and South Korea at multiple locations. Officials estimate that at least 90 individuals are trapped in hydropower tunnels obstructed by mud, rocks, and debris. Rescuers employ drilling, ventilation, and heavy machinery to navigate unstable terrain and compromised access routes. Efforts to verify worker lists continue as project operators and families report missing staff.
Recovery teams are also dealing with numerous unidentified bodies washed downstream by the floodwaters. Twenty-one hospitals are currently housing unidentified remains, with officials cross-referencing records and reaching out to relatives. In Chitwan, authorities collected DNA samples and identifying details before conducting temporary burials for some bodies. The disaster management agency emphasized that the count of recovered bodies may change as teams identify remains and reconcile overlapping or incomplete reports. Search operations are also ongoing in isolated communities where damaged roads and bridges hinder access.
Foreign nationals remain among the large number of missing persons
Foreign nationals continue to constitute a significant portion of the missing persons list on both sides of the border. Nepal reports 592 foreigners missing, while Tibetan authorities account for 261 foreign nationals among 546 unaccounted-for individuals. The Tibetan list includes citizens from Nepal, India, Latvia, the United States, and Britain, among others. Officials in Kathmandu and Tibet are coordinating efforts to verify identities and gather information on individuals who crossed the border before the flooding. Consular teams are assisting families in confirming names and locations.
Nepal’s government emphasizes that search, rescue, relief, and recovery operations are the top priorities in the disaster zone. Authorities are continuously monitoring river levels and downstream flood risks while delivering food, medical supplies, and other emergency aid. The floods have displaced residents and caused extensive damage to transportation and power infrastructure across affected regions. Officials advise the public to rely on verified figures for casualties and missing persons as field reports are reconciled. As of the latest official counts on Monday, Nepal and Tibet together have recorded 919 fatalities and 4,793 individuals missing.