KATHMANDU, NEPAL / RankWire.AI / – Floodwaters have caused devastating loss across Nepal and Tibet, with at least 919 lives lost and 4,793 individuals still unaccounted for after the disaster 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 still missing. Meanwhile, authorities in Tibet noted 16 fatalities and 546 individuals missing in Gyirong County. The numbers have surged compared to weekend estimates as search and rescue teams expanded their reach into more flood-affected zones and updated the records of missing persons.
According to Nepal’s disaster agency, rescue operations have successfully evacuated 10,451 individuals to safety, including 252 foreigners. The agency also reports that 592 foreign nationals remain missing, alongside 933 workers involved in hydropower projects along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers. The authorities have documented 267 injured persons, with 156 having already been discharged after receiving medical care. Over 20,000 security personnel are actively engaged in search, rescue, and relief efforts across the impacted districts, with helicopters being used to transport survivors and essential supplies to isolated communities.
The floods originated from the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa District early on August 26, inundating riverbank settlements and damaging residential areas, transportation infrastructure, bridges, hydropower facilities, and other vital structures. Officials indicated that the districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha bore the brunt of the destruction as floodwaters coursed through interconnected river systems. The disaster also impacted Gyirong County in Tibet, where rescue teams continue their efforts to search mountain valleys and border regions. Investigations are ongoing to determine the complete sequence of events that caused the flooding.
Rescue efforts focus on missing workers and remote locations
Efforts are heavily concentrated on hydropower sites where numerous workers remain unaccounted for, with Nepal Army units working in coordination with tunnel rescue specialists from India, China, and South Korea at multiple sites. Authorities estimate that at least 90 individuals are trapped within hydropower tunnels obstructed by mud, debris, and rocks. Rescuers are employing drilling, ventilation techniques, and heavy machinery while navigating unstable terrain and compromised access routes. The teams are also cross-referencing worker lists, as project operators and families report missing personnel.
Recovery teams are also managing large quantities of unidentified bodies washed downstream by the floodwaters. Twenty-one hospitals are currently holding unidentified remains, as officials compare records and seek information from relatives. In Chitwan, authorities have collected DNA samples and other identifying details before carrying out temporary burials for some bodies. The disaster management agency stated that the number of recoveries might fluctuate as efforts continue to identify bodies and eliminate duplicates or incomplete reports. Search teams are also inspecting isolated communities where damaged roads and bridges hinder access.
Foreign nationals remain among those unaccounted for in large numbers
Foreign nationals continue to feature prominently on the missing persons lists on both sides of the border, with Nepal listing 592 foreigners as missing and Tibetan authorities reporting 261 foreign nationals among 546 unaccounted individuals. The Tibetan list includes citizens from Nepal, India, Latvia, the United States, and Britain, among other countries. Officials in Kathmandu and Tibet are actively coordinating efforts to verify identities and gather information about individuals who crossed the border prior to the flood. Meanwhile, consular teams are assisting families in confirming names and locations.
Nepal’s government emphasizes that immediate priorities remain search, rescue, relief, and recovery activities within the disaster zone. Authorities continue to monitor river systems for downstream flood risks while deploying teams to deliver food, medical aid, and other emergency supplies. The flood has displaced numerous residents and caused extensive damage to transportation and power infrastructure across affected regions. Officials urge the public to rely on official casualty and missing-person figures as agencies reconcile reports from the field. As of the latest verified counts on Monday, Nepal and Tibet together have recorded 919 fatalities and 4,793 persons missing.