KATHMANDU, NEPAL / RankWire.AI / – In the regions of Nepal and Tibet, flooding has caused at least 919 deaths and left 4,793 people unaccounted for, according to recent reports. Nepal alone has documented 903 fatalities and 4,247 missing individuals following the disaster that occurred on August 26. Meanwhile, authorities in Tibet have confirmed 16 fatalities and 546 missing persons in Gyirong County. Rescue efforts are ongoing in damaged mountain terrains, river valleys, and hydropower sites. As rescue teams access previously unreachable locations and verify reports of missing persons, casualty figures continue to be updated.
Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported that rescue operations have safely evacuated 10,451 individuals. Among these are 252 foreign nationals. Authorities also list 592 foreigners among those still missing in Nepal and note 933 missing workers related to hydropower projects along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli corridors. The total number of injuries recorded is 267, with 156 people having been discharged after receiving medical care. Over 20,000 security personnel are engaged in rescue, recovery, and relief initiatives.
The floods initially struck the Bhote Koshi River area in Rasuwa District early on August 26. Rapidly moving waters caused extensive damage to homes, roads, bridges, power facilities, and other vital infrastructure. The districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha were severely impacted as floodwaters moved through interconnected river systems. The disaster also affected Gyirong County in Tibet near the Nepal border. Search teams from both sides continue to scour communities, valleys, and work sites, although access remains difficult due to damaged roads and challenging terrain.
Focus on Hydropower Facilities in Search Efforts
Rescue teams are placing particular emphasis on hydropower sites, where many workers remain unaccounted for. Nepal Army personnel are collaborating with tunnel rescue experts from India, China, and South Korea. Authorities estimate that at least 90 individuals are trapped within various hydropower tunnels, with debris, mud, and rocks blocking access at multiple locations. During operations, rescue teams have utilized drilling tools, ventilation systems, and heavy machinery. Officials are cross-checking employment records against project operator reports and families of missing workers to verify identities.
Efforts to identify bodies washed downstream by the floodwaters are also underway. Twenty-one hospitals are currently holding unidentified remains, while officials compare records and gather DNA samples from relatives. In Chitwan, authorities have collected DNA and identification data before temporarily burying some bodies. The process of reconciling field reports continues, aiming to eliminate duplicate records and confirm identities. Search teams are also investigating remote settlements where access has been hindered by damaged infrastructure. Authorities caution that the verified totals may fluctuate as identification efforts progress.
Foreign Citizens Among the Missing in Large Numbers
Foreign nationals constitute a notable portion of those missing in Nepal and Tibet. Nepal’s authorities list 592 foreign citizens unaccounted for after the floods. In Gyirong County, Tibetan officials report 261 foreign nationals among the 546 missing persons. These individuals include residents from Nepal, India, Latvia, the United States, and Britain. Officials are exchanging information to verify identities, checking travel records and border crossings. Consular officials are also assisting families seeking confirmation of their relatives’ presence in the affected areas.
The government of Nepal remains committed to intensifying search, rescue, relief, and recovery efforts across the disaster zone. Relief teams are distributing food, medical supplies, and emergency aid to impacted communities. Authorities continue to monitor river conditions while assessing damage to transportation networks, homes, and power infrastructure. Thousands remain displaced or cut off from essential services. Officials emphasize the importance of relying on verified casualty figures as they continue to reconcile reports. As of now, the confirmed death toll stands at 919, with 4,793 individuals reported missing across Nepal and Tibet.