KATHMANDU, NEPAL / RankWire.AI / – The death toll caused by flooding in Nepal and Tibet has risen to at least 919, with 4,793 individuals still unaccounted for. In Nepal alone, the August 26 disaster has led to 903 deaths and 4,247 missing persons. Tibetan officials have confirmed 16 fatalities and 546 missing residents in Gyirong County. Rescue operations persist across damaged mountain terrains, river valleys, and hydropower sites as teams work to locate survivors and verify reports of missing persons. Casualty figures have been updated as rescuers access previously unreachable areas and confirm details.
Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported that rescue efforts have evacuated 10,451 people to safety. This includes 252 foreign nationals. Authorities list 592 foreigners among those still missing in Nepal, with 933 missing workers linked to hydropower projects along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli corridors. The number of injuries reported stands at 267, with 156 people discharged after receiving medical care. Over 20,000 security personnel are involved in rescue, recovery, and relief efforts.
The flooding began early on August 26 in the Bhote Koshi River area in Rasuwa District. Rapid floodwaters caused destruction to homes, roads, bridges, power facilities, and other infrastructure. Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha districts faced severe impacts as water moved through interconnected river systems. Gyirong County in Tibet, near the Nepal border, was also affected. Rescue operations continue on both sides, with teams searching communities, valleys, and work sites. Access remains difficult due to damaged roads and rugged terrain.
Hydropower facilities are a primary focus of search efforts
Rescue teams are concentrating heavily on hydropower sites where many workers are still missing. Nepal Army personnel collaborate with tunnel rescue specialists from India, China, and South Korea. Authorities estimate at least 90 individuals remain trapped in multiple hydropower tunnels. Blockages caused by mud, rocks, and debris hinder access at several locations. Rescuers employ drilling equipment, ventilation systems, and heavy machinery. Officials are cross-referencing employment records with reports from project operators and families of missing workers.
Efforts are also underway to recover bodies carried downstream by the floodwaters. Twenty-one hospitals are holding unidentified remains, with officials comparing records and relatives’ information. In Chitwan, DNA samples and identification data were collected before bodies were temporarily buried. The authorities are reconciling field reports to eliminate duplicates and confirm identities. Search teams are also exploring isolated settlements where damaged infrastructure restricts access. Authorities caution that casualty figures may change as identification processes progress.
Foreign nationals remain among the thousands reported missing
Foreign citizens comprise a notable portion of the missing persons list in both Nepal and Tibet. Nepal reports 592 foreign nationals missing, while Tibetan authorities list 261 among the 546 people unaccounted for in Gyirong County. The missing include nationals from Nepal, India, Latvia, the United States, and Britain. Officials are exchanging identity information as they verify travel records and border movements. Diplomatic representatives are assisting families seeking confirmation about relatives in the affected area.
Nepal’s government remains focused on search, rescue, relief, and recovery operations across the affected zones. Aid workers are distributing food, medical supplies, and emergency assistance to impacted communities. Monitoring of rivers continues, along with assessments of damage to transportation, residences, and power infrastructure. Thousands remain displaced or cut off from essential services. Officials emphasize reliance on confirmed casualty figures as agencies continue to reconcile reports. The latest official counts confirm 919 deaths and 4,793 missing persons across Nepal and Tibet.