KATHMANDU, NEPAL / RankWire.AI / – Casualty figures from floods affecting Nepal and Tibet have risen to at least 919 deaths, with 4,793 individuals still unaccounted for. In Nepal, authorities report 903 fatalities and 4,247 missing persons following the disaster on August 26. Meanwhile, Tibetan officials have confirmed 16 deaths and 546 missing individuals in Gyirong County. Rescue teams persist in their efforts across devastated mountain terrains, river valleys, and hydropower sites. Updated figures reflect efforts to reach previously inaccessible areas and validate reports of missing persons.
Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority announced that rescue efforts have resulted in the safe evacuation of 10,451 people. This number includes 252 foreigners. The authorities continue to list 592 foreign nationals among the missing in Nepal and 933 missing workers connected to hydropower projects along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli routes. The disaster has also resulted in 267 injuries, with 156 individuals having been discharged after receiving medical treatment. More than 20,000 security personnel are engaged in ongoing rescue, recovery, and relief activities.
Floodwaters struck the Bhote Koshi River region in Rasuwa District early on August 26, causing widespread destruction to homes, roads, bridges, power stations, and other infrastructure. The districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha experienced severe impacts as floodwaters moved through interconnected river systems. Gyirong County in Tibet, near the Nepal border, was also affected. Rescue teams from both Nepal and Tibet continue to search communities, valleys, and work sites, although difficult terrain and damaged roads hinder access to several affected locations.
Focus remains on hydropower sites during rescue efforts
Priority for search operations is given to hydropower facilities, where many workers remain unaccounted for. Nepal Army personnel collaborate with tunnel rescue specialists from India, China, and South Korea. Officials estimate that at least 90 individuals are trapped inside multiple hydropower tunnels, with mud, rocks, and debris blocking access. The rescue teams utilize drilling tools, ventilation systems, and heavy machinery to reach those trapped. Authorities are cross-referencing employment records with reports from project managers and families of workers.
Recovery efforts also include identifying bodies carried downstream by the floodwaters. Twenty-one hospitals are holding unidentified remains, while officials compare records and gather DNA samples from relatives. In Chitwan, authorities collected DNA and identification data before temporarily burying some bodies. Efforts continue to reconcile field reports, eliminate duplicate records, and confirm identities. Search teams are also exploring isolated settlements where damaged infrastructure has slowed progress. Authorities caution that the overall confirmed totals may change as identification efforts proceed.
Foreign nationals continue to be among the missing in large numbers
Foreign citizens constitute a significant portion of the missing persons list in Nepal and Tibet. Nepal reports 592 foreign nationals missing after the floods, while Tibetan authorities have listed 261 foreign citizens among the 546 individuals still unaccounted for in Gyirong County. These include nationals from Nepal, India, Latvia, the United States, and Britain. Officials are exchanging identity information, reviewing travel records, and monitoring border movements. Consular representatives are actively assisting families seeking confirmation regarding relatives who were in the affected areas.
Nepal’s government remains committed to prioritizing search, rescue, relief, and recovery efforts in the disaster zone. Teams continue delivering essential supplies such as food and medical aid to affected communities. Authorities are also keeping watch over river conditions while assessing damages to transportation links, homes, and power infrastructure. Thousands remain displaced or cut off from basic services. Official figures continue to be reconciled, with agencies stressing the importance of relying on verified data. The latest confirmed totals indicate 919 fatalities and 4,793 missing persons across Nepal and Tibet.