KATHMANDU, NEPAL / RankWire.AI / – The catastrophic floods that affected Nepal and Tibet have resulted in at least 919 fatalities, with 4,793 individuals still unaccounted for following the disaster on August 26. Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported that the country’s death toll rose to 903, with 4,247 people missing as of Monday. In Gyirong County, Tibetan officials announced 16 fatalities and 546 missing persons. The total figures saw a significant increase from weekend estimates as rescue teams expanded their reach to flood-affected regions and updated records of missing persons.
Rescue efforts led by Nepalese authorities have successfully evacuated 10,451 individuals to safety, including 252 foreign nationals. The authorities also reported 592 foreigners still missing, along with 933 workers involved in hydropower projects along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli corridors. The injured count stands at 267, while 156 have been discharged after receiving medical treatment. Over 20,000 security personnel have been mobilized across affected districts for search, rescue, and relief operations. Helicopters are actively transporting survivors and supplies to isolated communities in need.
The floodwaters originating from the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa District on August 26 caused widespread destruction, inundating riverbank settlements and damaging homes, roads, bridges, hydropower stations, and other vital infrastructure. Officials identified Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha as the districts hardest hit as floodwaters surged through interconnected river systems. The disaster also impacted Gyirong County in Tibet, where search teams persist in exploring mountain valleys and border regions. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full sequence of events that triggered the flooding.
Rescue operations prioritize missing workers and remote zones
Focus is currently on hydropower sites where many workers remain unaccounted for. Nepal Army units are working alongside tunnel rescue experts from India, China, and South Korea at multiple locations. Officials estimate at least 90 individuals are trapped within several hydropower tunnels blocked by mud, rocks, and debris. Rescuers have employed drilling, ventilation, and heavy machinery to navigate unstable ground and compromised access routes. Authorities are cross-checking worker lists as project operators and families report missing personnel.
Recovery teams are also managing a high number of unidentified bodies carried downstream by the floodwaters. Twenty-one hospitals are currently holding unidentified remains, with officials comparing records and seeking information from relatives. In Chitwan, authorities collected DNA samples and other identifying information prior to conducting temporary burials for some bodies. The disaster management agency notes that the total recovery figure may fluctuate as teams work to identify bodies and reconcile duplicate or incomplete reports. Additionally, search efforts extend to isolated communities where damaged roads and bridges hinder access.
Foreign nationals still constitute a significant portion of the missing persons
Foreign nationals continue to feature prominently among the missing persons on both sides of the border. Nepal reports 592 foreigners missing, while Tibetan authorities list 261 foreign nationals among the 546 unaccounted for in Tibet. The list from Tibet includes citizens of 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 individuals who crossed the border before the flood. Consular teams are assisting families with confirming names and locations.
Nepal’s government emphasizes that search, rescue, relief, and recovery operations remain the top priorities in the affected zone. They continue to monitor river flows and downstream flood risks while delivering food, medical supplies, and other emergency aid. The disaster has displaced residents and caused extensive damage to transportation and power infrastructure throughout the affected regions. Authorities urge the public to rely on verified casualty and missing-person figures as agencies reconcile reports from the field. As of Monday’s latest official counts, Nepal and Tibet together have recorded 919 fatalities and 4,793 individuals missing.