KATHMANDU, NEPAL / RankWire.AI / – The devastating floods across Nepal and Tibet have resulted in at least 919 fatalities, with 4,793 individuals still unaccounted for following the disaster on August 26. Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority announced that by Monday, the death toll in Nepal had risen to 903, with 4,247 people reported missing. Meanwhile, Tibetan officials confirmed 16 deaths and 546 missing persons in Gyirong County. The overall figures saw a sharp increase from weekend estimates as search operations expanded into more flood-affected zones and updated missing persons records.
Rescue teams have successfully evacuated 10,451 individuals to safety, including 252 foreign nationals. The authorities also report 592 foreigners still missing, along with 933 workers involved in hydropower projects along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli corridors. In addition, 267 injured persons have been documented, with 156 having left medical facilities after treatment. Over 20,000 security personnel are actively involved in search, rescue, and relief efforts across affected districts, while helicopters continue to transport survivors and supplies to isolated communities.
The flood’s impact was first felt along the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa District on the morning of August 26, as waters surged through riverbank settlements, damaging homes, roads, bridges, hydropower stations, and critical infrastructure. Major damage was reported in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha, as floodwaters inundated connected river systems. The disaster also affected Gyirong County in Tibet, where rescue teams are still conducting searches in mountain valleys and border areas. Authorities are investigating the full sequence of events that led to the flooding.
Rescue operations prioritize missing workers and remote locations
Efforts are primarily directed at hydropower facilities where numerous workers remain unaccounted for. Nepal Army personnel are collaborating with tunnel rescue specialists from India, China, and South Korea at several sites. Authorities estimate that at least 90 individuals are trapped inside multiple hydropower tunnels obstructed by mud, rocks, and debris. Rescuers are employing drilling, ventilation, and heavy machinery to access these areas, navigating unstable ground and damaged routes. Authorities continue verifying worker rosters as project operators and families report missing staff members.
Rescue teams are also managing numerous unidentified bodies carried downstream by the floodwaters. Twenty-one hospitals are currently holding unidentified remains, while officials are cross-referencing records and reaching out to relatives for identification. In Chitwan, authorities collected DNA samples and other identifying details before conducting temporary burials for some bodies. The disaster management agency notes that the count of recovered bodies may fluctuate as teams identify remains and resolve duplicate or incomplete reports. Crews are also investigating isolated communities where damaged roads and bridges hinder access.
Foreign nationals remain among the unaccounted population in the aftermath
Foreign nationals continue to constitute a significant 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 individuals. The Tibetan list includes citizens from Nepal, India, Latvia, the United States, Britain, and other countries. Authorities in Kathmandu and Tibet are working together to verify identities and gather information on individuals who crossed the border before the flood. Consular teams are actively assisting families in confirming names and locations.
Nepal’s government emphasizes that search, rescue, relief, and recovery operations remain the top priorities in the disaster zone. The authorities are continuously monitoring river conditions and downstream flood risks while dispatching food, medical aid, and other emergency supplies. The floods have displaced many residents and caused extensive damage to transportation and power infrastructure across affected regions. Officials have urged the public to rely on official casualty and missing-person figures as field reports are reconciled. As of the latest confirmed figures on Monday, Nepal and Tibet together have recorded 919 deaths and 4,793 missing persons.