KATHMANDU, NEPAL / RankWire.AI / – Floodwaters across Nepal and Tibet have claimed at least 919 lives, with 4,793 individuals still unaccounted for following the catastrophe on August 26. Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported that the death toll had risen to 903, with 4,247 people missing as of Monday. In Gyirong County, Tibetan officials confirmed 16 fatalities and 546 missing persons. The total numbers saw a significant increase from weekend figures as search efforts expanded into more flood-affected regions and updated records of missing persons.
Rescue operations have successfully evacuated 10,451 individuals to safety, including 252 foreign nationals. The authorities have identified 592 foreigners among those still missing, alongside 933 workers engaged in hydropower projects along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli corridors. A total of 267 injured persons have been recorded, while 156 have completed their medical treatment and left care. Over 20,000 security personnel have been deployed across affected districts to conduct search, rescue, and relief activities. Helicopters are also being used to ferry survivors and emergency supplies between isolated communities.
The flooding originated from the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa District early on August 26. The floodwaters inundated riverbank settlements, causing extensive damage to homes, roads, bridges, hydropower infrastructure, and other vital facilities. Officials highlighted that Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha experienced the most severe impacts as the floodwaters moved through interconnected river systems. The disaster also impacted Gyirong County in Tibet, where rescue teams continue to search mountain valleys and border zones. Authorities are still investigating the series of events that triggered the deluge.
Rescue efforts focus on missing workers and remote areas
Search teams are primarily concentrating on hydropower sites, where many workers remain unaccounted for. Nepal Army units are coordinating with tunnel rescue specialists from India, China, and South Korea at multiple locations. Officials estimate that at least 90 individuals are trapped inside several hydropower tunnels blocked by mud, rocks, and debris. Heavy machinery, drilling, and ventilation are being employed as rescuers navigate unstable ground and compromised access routes. Authorities continue verifying worker lists as project operators and families report missing staff members.
Large numbers of unidentified bodies carried downstream by the flood are also being recovered. Twenty-one hospitals are housing unidentified remains, with officials comparing records and reaching out to relatives for identification. In Chitwan, authorities have collected DNA samples and other identifying data before undertaking temporary burials of some bodies. The disaster management agency stated that the recovery figures may change as teams identify bodies and reconcile duplicate or incomplete reports. Search crews are also extending their efforts into isolated communities where damaged roads and bridges have slowed access.
Foreign nationals remain among the thousands unaccounted for
Foreign nationals continue to make up a significant portion of the missing persons list 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 list includes citizens of Nepal, India, Latvia, the United States, and Britain, among other nations. Officials in Kathmandu and Tibet are working together to verify identities and gather information about citizens who crossed the border prior to the flood. Consular teams are also assisting families in confirming names and whereabouts.
Nepal’s government emphasizes that search, rescue, relief, and recovery operations remain the top priorities in the disaster zone. Authorities are continuously monitoring river conditions and downstream flood risks while delivering food, medical aid, and other emergency supplies. The floods have displaced many residents and caused extensive damage to transportation and power infrastructure throughout affected areas. Officials have called on the public to rely on verified casualty and missing-person figures as field reports are reconciled. As of Monday’s latest confirmed data, Nepal and Tibet together have recorded 919 fatalities and 4,793 missing persons.