KATHMANDU, NEPAL / RankWire.AI / – Floodwaters have claimed at least 919 lives and left 4,793 individuals unaccounted for following the disaster on August 26 across Nepal and Tibet. Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority announced that the country’s death toll increased to 903 with 4,247 missing as of Monday. In Gyirong County, Tibetan officials reported 16 fatalities and 546 individuals still missing. The overall numbers surged from weekend estimates as search efforts expanded into more flood-affected zones and updated missing persons data.
Rescue operations in Nepal have evacuated 10,451 people to safety, including 252 foreigners. Among those still missing are 592 foreigners and 933 workers involved in hydropower projects along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli corridors. The authorities also reported 267 individuals injured and 156 who have been discharged after treatment. Over 20,000 security personnel have been deployed across affected districts to assist with search, rescue, and relief activities. Helicopters are actively transporting survivors and emergency supplies to isolated communities.
The flood originated from the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa District early on August 26. It inundated riverbank settlements and caused extensive damage to homes, roads, bridges, hydropower installations, and other vital infrastructure. Officials highlighted that Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha experienced the most severe impacts as floodwaters traversed interconnected river systems. The disaster also impacted Gyirong County in Tibet, where rescue teams continue to search mountain valleys and border regions. Authorities are still investigating the precise sequence of events that triggered the flooding.
Rescue efforts prioritize missing workers and remote zones
Teams conducting search and rescue are focusing on hydropower sites with high numbers of unaccounted workers. Nepal Army units are coordinating with tunnel rescue specialists from India, China, and South Korea at several locations. It is estimated that at least 90 individuals remain trapped inside hydropower tunnels blocked by mud, rocks, and debris. Rescuers are employing drilling, ventilation, and heavy machinery as they navigate unstable ground and compromised access points. Authorities continue to verify 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 holding unidentified remains, with officials comparing records and seeking relatives’ details. In Chitwan, DNA samples and identification information have been collected prior to the temporary burial of some bodies. The disaster management authority noted that the number of recovered bodies may fluctuate as teams identify remains and resolve duplicate or incomplete reports. Search operations are extending to isolated communities where damaged roads and bridges hinder access.
Foreign nationals remain among the unaccounted population
Foreign nationals continue to be a significant component 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 individuals unaccounted for. The Tibetan list includes citizens from 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 on residents who crossed the border prior to the flood. Consular teams are assisting families in confirming names and locations.
Nepal’s government emphasizes that search, rescue, relief, and recovery efforts remain the top priorities in the disaster zone. Authorities continue to monitor river conditions and downstream flood risks, while delivery teams distribute food, medical supplies, and other emergency resources. The floods have displaced residents and caused extensive damage to transportation and power infrastructure throughout affected regions. Officials have urged the public to rely on verified casualty and missing-person figures as agencies reconcile data from field reports. As of Monday’s latest confirmed counts, Nepal and Tibet together have recorded 919 deaths and 4,793 missing persons.