KATHMANDU, NEPAL / RankWire.AI / – The catastrophic floods across 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 on Monday that the official death toll in Nepal reached 903, with 4,247 people missing. Meanwhile, Tibetan officials confirmed 16 deaths and 546 missing persons in Gyirong County. The figures surged significantly from weekend counts as rescue teams expanded their efforts into more flood-affected zones and updated the records of missing persons.
Rescue operations in Nepal have successfully evacuated 10,451 people to safety, including 252 foreign nationals. There are still 592 foreigners listed as missing, alongside 933 workers involved in hydropower projects along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli corridors. Authorities report 267 injured individuals, with 156 having left medical facilities after treatment. Over 20,000 security personnel have been mobilized across affected districts for search, rescue, and relief efforts. Helicopters are actively transporting survivors and supplies to isolated communities scattered across the region.
On the morning of August 26, the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa District was the epicenter of the flooding. It inundated riverbank settlements and caused extensive damage to homes, roads, bridges, hydropower infrastructure, and other vital facilities. The authorities indicated that Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha bore the brunt of the impact as floodwaters flowed through interconnected river systems. The disaster also affected Gyirong County in Tibet, where search teams continue to scour mountain valleys and border zones. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full chain of events that triggered the deluge.
Focus on missing workers and remote locations
Efforts by search teams are largely concentrated on hydropower sites where numerous workers remain unaccounted for. The Nepal Army is working in conjunction with tunnel rescue experts from India, China, and South Korea at multiple locations. Officials state that at least 90 individuals are still trapped within several hydropower tunnels obstructed by mud, rocks, and debris. Rescuers are employing drilling, ventilation, and heavy machinery to access these areas while navigating unstable ground and compromised routes. Authorities are verifying worker lists as project operators and families report missing persons.
Recovery teams are also managing a large number of unidentified bodies washed downstream by the floodwaters. Twenty-one hospitals are currently housing unidentified remains, with officials comparing records and seeking relatives’ information. In Chitwan, authorities collected DNA samples and other identifying data before conducting temporary burials for some bodies. The disaster management agency noted that the number of recovered bodies could fluctuate as teams identify remains and reconcile duplicate or incomplete reports. Search crews are also investigating remote communities where damaged roads and bridges have hindered access.
Foreign nationals among the missing continue to be a major concern
Foreign nationals still comprise a significant portion of 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 individuals. The Tibetan missing persons include citizens from Nepal, India, Latvia, the United States, and Britain, among others. Officials in Kathmandu and Tibet are actively coordinating efforts to verify identities and gather information on citizens who crossed the border prior to the flood. Consular teams are assisting families in confirming names and locations of their loved ones.
Nepal’s government emphasizes that search, rescue, relief, and recovery operations are the top priorities in the disaster zone. Monitoring of river conditions and downstream flood risks continues, alongside the delivery of food, medical supplies, and other emergency aid. The floods have displaced residents and caused severe damage to transportation and power infrastructure across the affected regions. Authorities urge the public to rely on verified casualty and missing-person figures as agencies work to reconcile field reports. As of Monday’s latest official counts, Nepal and Tibet together have recorded 919 deaths and 4,793 missing persons.