Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Nepal Flash Floods Death Toll Tops 1,000 as Rescue Efforts Continue
A very large flash flood struck Nepal on August 26.
It was caused by ice and rocks collapsing near the Nepal-Tibet border.
The floodwater rushed down the Bhotekoshi River and damaged homes, roads, bridges and hydropower projects.
Officials say 1,003 people in Nepal have died.
Nearly 4,000 people are still missing, while almost 12,000 have been rescued.
Rescue workers are searching towns, tunnels and other dangerous places for survivors.
Rain and rising rivers are making the rescue work harder.
Authorities have warned people near rivers to stay alert because more flooding may happen.
Nepal’s flash-flood death toll reached 1,003 after more bodies were recovered across eight districts.
Nearly 4,000 people remain missing, including 583 foreigners and 83 security personnel; nearly 12,000 have been rescued.
The floods began on August 26 after an ice-and-rock collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border sent Bhotekoshi River waters downstream.
More than 21,300 security personnel are conducting searches, while Indian and Chinese experts are helping reach workers trapped at hydropower sites.
Authorities issued new flood alerts across eastern, central and western Nepal as rainfall continued and river levels rose.
- Who
- Nepalese authorities, security forces, rescue teams, and affected residents; nearly 4,000 people remain missing.
- What
- Flash floods killed at least 1,003 people in Nepal, left nearly 4,000 missing, and caused extensive infrastructure damage.
- When
- The floods began on August 26; the death toll and new warnings were reported on September 1.
- Where
- Northern and central Nepal, with flood alerts covering eastern, central and western districts; 16 people also died on the Chinese side.
- Why
- An ice-and-rock collapse or avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border sent powerful floodwaters downstream through the Bhotekoshi River.
- Nepal death toll
- 1,003 people
- Missing in Nepal
- Nearly 4,000 people, including 583 foreigners and 83 security personnel
- Rescued
- Nearly 12,000 people
- Security personnel mobilized
- More than 21,300
- Infrastructure damage
- Nineteen motorable bridges and several highways and arterial roads were washed away
- Chinese side
- Sixteen people died and nearly 550 remained missing in Tibet, according to Chinese media reports
- Flood monitoring
- A real-time CCTV camera was installed at Timure in Rasuwa district