KATHMANDU, NEPAL / RankWire.AI / – Floodwaters across Nepal and Tibet have claimed at least 919 lives, with 4,793 individuals still missing following the disaster on August 26. Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported on Monday that the death toll in Nepal reached 903, with 4,247 people unaccounted for. Meanwhile, Tibetan officials confirmed 16 fatalities and 546 missing in Gyirong County. The totals increased significantly from weekend figures as search efforts expanded to flood-affected regions and missing persons data was updated.
Rescue teams have evacuated 10,451 individuals to safety, including 252 foreign nationals. Among those still missing are 592 foreigners, along with 933 workers engaged in hydropower projects along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli corridors. Authorities recorded 267 injuries, with 156 patients having been released after treatment. Over 20,000 security personnel are actively involved in search, rescue, and relief operations across impacted districts, while helicopters are transporting survivors and supplies to isolated communities.
The flood originated from the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa District early on August 26, damaging homes, infrastructure, roads, bridges, and hydropower facilities. Floodwaters spread through interconnected river systems affecting Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha. The disaster also impacted Gyirong County in Tibet, where rescue teams are still searching mountain valleys and border zones. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full sequence of events that triggered the floods.
Teams prioritize locating missing workers and reaching isolated locations
Specialized search units are focusing on hydropower sites with numerous unaccounted workers. Nepal Army personnel are collaborating with tunnel rescue experts from India, China, and South Korea at multiple sites. Officials estimate that at least 90 individuals remain trapped in hydropower tunnels blocked by debris. Heavy machinery, drilling, and ventilation efforts are underway amid unstable terrain and compromised access routes. Authorities are cross-checking worker lists as project operators and families report missing persons.
Recovery efforts also involve handling large numbers of unidentified bodies washed downstream. Twenty-one hospitals are housing unclaimed remains as officials compare records and seek relatives’ information. In Chitwan, DNA sampling and identification details are being collected before temporary burials of some victims. The disaster authority stated that recovery figures may change as teams identify bodies and resolve duplicates or incomplete reports. Search operations are also extending into remote communities affected by damaged roads and bridges that hinder access.
International presence among the missing remains significant
Foreign nationals continue to comprise a sizable portion of the missing persons list on both sides of the border. Nepal reports 592 foreigners missing, while Tibetan authorities list 261 foreign nationals among 546 unaccounted-for individuals. The Tibetan list includes citizens from Nepal, India, Latvia, the United States, and Britain, among others. Coordination is underway between Kathmandu and Tibetan officials to verify identities and gather information on individuals who crossed the border before the floods. Consular teams are assisting families in confirming names and whereabouts.
Nepal’s government emphasizes that search, rescue, relief, and recovery efforts are the top priorities in the affected zones. Authorities continue to monitor river conditions and downstream flood risks, while teams deliver food, medical supplies, and emergency aid. The disaster has displaced residents and caused extensive damage to transportation and power infrastructure. Officials urge the public to rely on official casualty and missing-person reports as agencies reconcile field data. As of Monday’s latest official count, Nepal and Tibet together have recorded 919 deaths and 4,793 individuals missing.