KATHMANDU, NEPAL / RankWire.AI / – Flooding across Nepal and Tibet has resulted in at least 919 deaths, with 4,793 individuals still unaccounted for. Nepal’s authorities have documented 903 fatalities and 4,247 missing persons following the disaster that struck on August 26. Meanwhile, officials in Gyirong County in Tibet have confirmed 16 fatalities and 546 people missing. Rescue operations persist through mountainous regions, river valleys, and hydropower facilities impacted by the floods. Casualty numbers are being updated as rescue teams reach previously inaccessible areas and verify reports of missing persons.
Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority announced that rescuers have evacuated 10,451 individuals. The total includes 252 foreign nationals. Authorities have identified 592 foreigners among those still missing in Nepal. Additionally, 933 workers linked to hydropower projects along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli corridors are listed as missing. The death toll includes 267 injuries, with 156 people having been discharged after receiving medical treatment. More than 20,000 security personnel are engaged in rescue, recovery, and relief activities across affected regions.
The flooding initially impacted the Bhote Koshi River area in Rasuwa District early on August 26. The swift-moving waters caused extensive damage to homes, roads, bridges, power stations, and other infrastructure. Areas such as Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha experienced severe impacts as floodwaters traveled through interconnected river systems. The disaster also affected Gyirong County in Tibet near Nepal’s border. Search teams on both sides continue to scour communities, valleys, and work sites. Difficult terrain and damaged roads have hindered access to several affected locations.
Hydropower facilities are a primary focus of ongoing search efforts
Rescue teams are concentrating efforts predominantly on hydropower sites, where many workers remain unaccounted for. Nepal Army units are collaborating with tunnel rescue experts from India, China, and South Korea. Officials estimate that at least 90 individuals are trapped in various hydropower tunnels. Debris, mud, and rocks have obstructed access to multiple locations. Rescue operations employ drilling equipment, ventilation systems, and heavy machinery. Authorities are also cross-referencing employment records with reports from project operators and families of workers to verify identities.
Efforts are also underway to identify bodies washed downstream during the floods. Twenty-one hospitals currently hold unidentified remains, and officials are comparing records with information provided by relatives. In Chitwan, authorities collected DNA samples and other identification data before temporarily burying some victims. The process of matching reports, eliminating duplicates, and confirming identities continues. Rescue teams are also inspecting remote settlements where damaged infrastructure has impeded access. Officials caution that casualty figures may evolve as identification processes proceed.
International nationals continue to be listed among the missing
Foreign nationals comprise a significant portion of those unaccounted for in Nepal and Tibet. In Nepal, 592 foreign citizens are listed as missing, while Tibetan authorities report 261 foreign nationals among the 546 missing in Gyirong County. These individuals include nationals from Nepal, India, Latvia, the United States, and Britain. Officials are exchanging information on identities, verifying travel histories, and border movements. Meanwhile, consular representatives are assisting families seeking confirmation about relatives who were in the flood-affected areas.
The government of Nepal continues to prioritize search, rescue, relief, and recovery efforts throughout the affected zones. Teams are providing food, medical supplies, and emergency aid to communities in need. Monitoring of rivers and assessment of damage to transportation routes, residences, and power infrastructure are ongoing. Thousands remain displaced or cut off from essential services. Authorities urge caution in relying solely on casualty figures as agencies work to reconcile reports. As of now, confirmed totals stand at 919 deaths and 4,793 missing persons across Nepal and Tibet.