KATHMANDU, NEPAL / RankWire.AI / – Floodwaters have devastated regions across Nepal and Tibet, leading to the death of at least 919 individuals, with 4,793 still unaccounted for following the catastrophe on August 26. Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported on Monday that the death toll in Nepal had risen to 903, with 4,247 people missing. Meanwhile, officials in Tibet announced 16 fatalities and 546 individuals missing in Gyirong County. The total numbers have increased significantly from weekend figures as search efforts expanded into more flood-affected zones and records of missing persons were updated.
According to the Nepalese agency, rescue operations have successfully evacuated 10,451 individuals, including 252 foreign nationals, to safety. They also listed 592 foreigners still missing, alongside 933 workers involved in hydropower projects along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli corridors. The authorities reported 267 injured persons, with 156 having been discharged after receiving medical care. Over 20,000 security personnel have been deployed across the affected districts to assist in search, rescue, and relief operations. Helicopters are actively ferrying survivors and delivering emergency supplies to remote communities cut off by the floods.
The flooding originated from the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa District early on August 26. The deluge swept through villages along the riverbanks, destroying homes, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities, and vital infrastructure. Officials noted that Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha districts were most severely impacted as floodwaters traversed connected river systems. The disaster also affected Gyirong County in Tibet, where rescue teams continue to explore mountain valleys and border regions. Authorities are still investigating the precise sequence of events that caused the flood.
Search efforts prioritize missing workers and hard-to-reach locations
Focus remains on hydropower sites where many workers remain unaccounted for. Nepalese Army personnel are working alongside tunnel rescue experts from India, China, and South Korea at several locations. Reports indicate that at least 90 individuals are trapped inside multiple hydropower tunnels obstructed by mud, rocks, and debris. Rescuers have employed drilling, ventilation techniques, and heavy machinery as they navigate unstable terrain and compromised access routes. Authorities continue cross-checking worker lists as project operators and families report missing staff members.
In addition, recovery crews are managing numerous unidentified bodies carried downstream by the floodwaters. Twenty-one hospitals are currently holding unidentified remains, while officials compare records and seek information from relatives. In Chitwan, authorities collected DNA samples and other identifying information before conducting temporary burials for some of the bodies. The disaster management agency emphasizes that the number of recovered bodies may fluctuate as teams identify remains and reconcile records. Search teams are also focusing on isolated communities where damaged roads and bridges impede access.
Foreign nationals are among the large number of missing persons on both sides of the border
Foreign nationals continue to be a significant component of the missing person reports from both Nepal and Tibet. Nepal lists 592 foreigners missing, while Tibetan authorities report 261 foreign nationals among 546 unaccounted-for individuals. The Tibetan list includes citizens from Nepal, India, Latvia, the United States, and Britain, among other nations. Kathmandu and Tibetan officials are working together to verify identities and gather information about individuals who crossed the border prior to the flood. Additionally, consular teams are assisting families in confirming names and locations of their loved ones.
Nepal’s government states that immediate efforts are focused on search, rescue, relief, and recovery operations within the disaster zone. Authorities continue monitoring river levels and downstream flood risks while distributing food, medical aid, and other essential supplies. The floods have displaced numerous residents and caused extensive damage to transportation networks and power infrastructure across the 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 official counts on Monday, Nepal and Tibet together have recorded 919 fatalities and 4,793 people reported missing.