KATHMANDU, NEPAL / RankWire.AI / – Floodwaters across Nepal and Tibet have caused the deaths of at least 919 individuals, with 4,793 people still unaccounted for following the catastrophe on August 26. Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported that the country’s toll reached 903 fatalities and 4,247 missing persons on Monday. Meanwhile, Tibetan authorities announced 16 deaths and 546 missing residents in Gyirong County. The figures have increased significantly from weekend reports, as rescue teams expanded their efforts into more flood-affected zones and updated the list of missing persons.
The Nepalese agency stated that rescue operations have evacuated 10,451 individuals to safety, including 252 foreign nationals. It also identified 592 foreigners among those still missing, along with 933 workers involved in hydropower projects along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli corridors. The authorities documented 267 injured persons, with 156 having been discharged after treatment. Over 20,000 security personnel have been deployed across affected districts to assist with search, rescue, and relief efforts. Helicopters are also transporting survivors and supplies between remote communities.
The flooding began when the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa District burst its banks on the morning of August 26. The deluge inundated riverbank settlements and caused extensive damage to homes, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities, and vital infrastructure. Officials indicated that Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha suffered the most severe impacts as floodwaters moved through interconnected river systems. The disaster also affected Gyirong County in Tibet, where rescue teams continue their efforts in mountain valleys and border regions. Authorities are still investigating the sequence of events that led to the flooding.
Rescue operations prioritize missing workers and hard-to-reach areas
Search teams are focusing on hydropower sites with large numbers of unaccounted workers. Nepal Army personnel are collaborating with tunnel rescue specialists from India, China, and South Korea at multiple locations. Officials report that at least 90 people remain trapped inside hydropower tunnels blocked by mud, rocks, and debris. Rescuers employ drilling, ventilation, and heavy machinery as they navigate unstable ground and compromised access routes. They continue to verify worker lists, as project operators and families report missing staff.
Recovery teams are also managing numerous unidentified bodies carried downstream by the floodwaters. Twenty-one hospitals are currently holding unidentified remains. Officials are cross-referencing records and seeking information from relatives to identify the deceased. In Chitwan, authorities collected DNA samples and other identifying data before conducting temporary burials of some bodies. The disaster management agency noted that the total recovery count may fluctuate as teams identify bodies and reconcile duplicate or incomplete reports. Search efforts are also underway in isolated communities where damaged roads and bridges hinder access.
Foreign nationals are among the many missing individuals on both sides of the border
Foreign nationals remain a significant component of the missing-person lists in Nepal and Tibet. Nepal reports 592 foreigners missing, while Tibetan authorities list 261 foreign nationals among the 546 unaccounted-for individuals there. The Tibetan list includes citizens from Nepal, India, Latvia, the United States, and Britain, among other countries. Kathmandu and Tibetan officials are coordinating efforts to verify identities and gather information on citizens who crossed the border before the flood. Consular teams are also assisting families in confirming names and locations.
Nepal’s government emphasizes that search, rescue, relief, and recovery operations are the top priorities in the affected zone. Authorities are continuously monitoring river conditions and downstream flood risks, while teams distribute food, medical supplies, and emergency aid. The disaster has displaced numerous residents and inflicted severe damage to transportation and power infrastructure across the impacted regions. Officials have urged the public to rely on verified casualty and missing-person data as agencies continue to reconcile reports from the field. As of the latest counts on Monday, Nepal and Tibet together recorded 919 deaths and 4,793 individuals still missing.