KATHMANDU, NEPAL / RankWire.AI / – The death toll resulting from flooding across Nepal and Tibet has now reached at least 919, with 4,793 individuals still unaccounted for. In Nepal alone, authorities have reported 903 fatalities and 4,247 people missing following the disaster that occurred on August 26. Meanwhile, Tibetan officials have confirmed 16 deaths and 546 missing persons in Gyirong County. Search and rescue teams persist in operations across ravaged mountain regions, river valleys, and hydropower sites, as they work to locate survivors and verify reports of missing persons. Casualty figures have been updated as rescue teams reach previously inaccessible areas and confirm the identities of those unaccounted for.
Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority indicated that rescue efforts have successfully evacuated 10,451 individuals to safety. The total includes 252 foreign nationals. Officials estimate that 592 foreigners remain missing in Nepal, and 933 workers associated with hydropower projects along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli corridors are also listed as missing. To date, 267 injuries have been officially recorded, with 156 individuals having been discharged after receiving medical treatment. Over 20,000 security personnel are actively engaged in rescue, recovery, and relief missions to aid affected communities.
The flooding began in the early hours of August 26 around the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa District. Rapidly moving waters caused extensive damage to homes, roads, bridges, power stations, and other vital infrastructure. Districts including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha suffered severe impacts as floodwaters coursed through interconnected river systems. The disaster also affected Gyirong County in Tibet near the Nepal border. Search teams operating on both sides are continuing their efforts to locate survivors in communities, valleys, and work sites, but access remains difficult due to damaged roads and challenging terrain.
Search Operations Focused on Hydropower Facilities
Rescue teams are prioritizing hydropower sites where a significant number of workers remain unaccounted for. Nepal Army units are collaborating with tunnel rescue specialists from India, China, and South Korea. Authorities estimate that at least 90 individuals are still trapped inside multiple hydropower tunnels. Blockages caused by mud, rocks, and debris have hampered access at various locations. During rescue operations, teams have employed drilling equipment, ventilation systems, and heavy machinery to facilitate access. Official records are being cross-checked with reports from project operators and families of missing workers to ensure accuracy.
Rescue teams are also engaged in recovering bodies washed downstream during the flooding. Twenty-one hospitals are currently holding unidentified remains, with officials comparing these to family reports and records. In Chitwan, authorities have collected DNA samples and identification details before burying some bodies temporarily. Efforts continue to reconcile field data, eliminate duplicate records, and confirm identities. Additionally, search operations extend to isolated settlements where damaged bridges and roads hinder access. Officials have warned that the confirmed figures may fluctuate as the identification process advances.
Foreign Nationals Among the Missing Count
Foreign citizens constitute a notable portion of the missing persons list in both Nepal and Tibet. Nepal reports 592 foreign nationals missing after the floods, while Tibetan authorities list 261 foreign citizens among the 546 still unaccounted for in Gyirong County. These individuals include citizens of Nepal, India, Latvia, the United States, and Britain. Authorities are exchanging information about identities and checking travel records and border movements to confirm identities. Consular officials are also providing assistance to families seeking confirmation regarding their relatives who were in the affected region.
Nepal’s government continues to emphasize the importance of ongoing search, rescue, relief, and recovery initiatives across the impacted area. Relief crews are distributing food, medical supplies, and emergency aid to affected populations. Authorities are monitoring river levels and assessing damage to transportation routes, homes, and power infrastructure. Thousands remain displaced or cut off from essential services. Officials continue to urge caution, emphasizing reliance on verified casualty figures as agencies work to reconcile reports. The latest official data confirms 919 deaths and 4,793 missing persons across Nepal and Tibet.