KATHMANDU, NEPAL / RankWire.AI / – Floodwaters across Nepal and Tibet have resulted in at least 919 fatalities, with 4,793 individuals still missing following the disaster on August 26. Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported on Monday that the death toll in Nepal reached 903, with 4,247 people unaccounted for. Tibetan officials disclosed 16 deaths and 546 missing persons in Gyirong County. The numbers increased significantly from weekend figures as rescue teams expanded their search efforts and updated missing persons records in flood-affected zones.
Rescue teams in Nepal have evacuated 10,451 individuals to safety, including 252 foreign nationals. Among those still unaccounted for are 592 foreigners and 933 workers involved in hydropower projects along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers. Authorities also recorded 267 injured persons, with 156 having been discharged after treatment. Over 20,000 security personnel have been deployed across affected districts to conduct search, rescue, and relief operations. Helicopters are actively transporting survivors and emergency supplies to isolated communities.
The flood struck the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa District early on August 26. It surged through riverbank settlements, damaging homes, roads, bridges, hydropower infrastructure, and other vital facilities. Officials confirmed that Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha experienced severe impacts as floodwaters moved through interconnected river systems. The disaster also affected Gyirong County in Tibet, where rescue teams continue their search across mountain valleys and border zones. Investigations are ongoing to determine the precise sequence of events that caused the flood.
Rescue efforts focus on missing workers and remote regions
Rescue teams are prioritizing hydropower sites where many workers remain unaccounted for. Nepal Army units are coordinating with tunnel rescue specialists from India, China, and South Korea at several locations. Authorities estimate that at least 90 individuals are trapped inside multiple hydropower tunnels obstructed by mud, rocks, and debris. Rescuers employ drilling, ventilation, and heavy machinery while navigating unstable ground and compromised access routes. Authorities continue verifying worker lists as project operators and families report missing personnel.
Recovery teams are also managing numerous unidentified bodies washed downstream by the floodwaters. Twenty-one hospitals are currently holding unidentified remains, and officials are cross-referencing records and reaching out to relatives. In Chitwan, authorities collected DNA samples and other identifying information before carrying out temporary burials. The disaster authority notes that the tally of recovered bodies may fluctuate as teams work to identify remains and reconcile duplicate or incomplete reports. Search crews are also conducting operations in isolated communities where damaged roads and bridges hinder access.
Foreign nationals remain among the missing in large numbers
Foreign nationals continue to comprise 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 tally 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 those who crossed the border prior to the flood. Consular teams are assisting families in confirming names and whereabouts.
Nepal’s government emphasizes that search, rescue, relief, and recovery efforts remain their immediate focus within the disaster zone. Authorities continue to monitor rivers and downstream flood risks while dispatching supplies such as food and medical aid. The floods have displaced residents and caused extensive damage to transportation and power infrastructure throughout affected regions. Officials urge the public to rely solely on verified figures for casualties and missing persons as field reports are reconciled. As of Monday’s latest confirmed data, Nepal and Tibet together recorded 919 deaths and 4,793 individuals missing.