Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Nepal-Tibet Flash Floods Leave Hundreds Dead and Missing
A very large flash flood hit parts of Nepal and Tibet.
The water damaged villages, roads, bridges and power facilities.
Satellite pictures show that an important border post was almost completely washed away.
Many people died, and many others are still missing.
The reported totals differ between the overall figures and Nepal’s disaster authority figures.
Scientists think a piece of glacier may have blocked a river and then released a huge wave of water.
People from many countries were in the affected area, including travelers and workers.
Rescue teams have used aircraft to save some people and continue searching for others.
Reports say the Nepal-Tibet flash floods killed at least 469 people and left more than 1,468 missing, though Nepal authorities separately reported 359 deaths and 910 missing.
Floodwaters destroyed villages, roads, hydropower infrastructure and the Rasuwagadhi border post along the Trishuli River.
Vantor satellite images show extensive destruction across roughly 10 miles south of the Nepal-China border.
Scientists preliminarily suggest a glacier fragment may have blocked a river before a sudden surge caused the flooding.
People from more than 30 countries remain unaccounted for, including 288 Indians and 90 Americans, according to their governments.
- Who
- Residents, workers, tourists and pilgrims in Nepal and Tibet were affected; missing people include Indian, American, Chinese and other foreign nationals.
- What
- A devastating flash flood killed hundreds, left many missing and destroyed communities, roads, hydropower infrastructure and a border post.
- When
- The flood occurred on a Wednesday; the satellite comparison uses imagery from April 19, 2024, and imagery taken after the disaster.
- Where
- The worst damage described is along roughly 10 miles of the Trishuli River near the Nepal-China border, including Rasuwagadhi and Tibet’s Gyirong County.
- Why
- Scientists preliminarily suggest that a glacier fragment blocked a river, allowing water to build up before surging downstream.
- Reported overall toll
- At least 469 people were reported dead and more than 1,468 missing.
- Nepal authority figures
- Nepal’s disaster management authority reported 359 deaths and 910 missing, including 517 foreign nationals.
- Tibet figures
- Chinese state media reported three deaths and 558 missing in Gyirong County, including 260 foreigners.
- Satellite evidence
- Vantor imagery shows destruction along roughly 10 miles of the Trishuli River.
- Border post
- The Rasuwagadhi border post appeared to have been washed away.
- Indian nationals
- India’s External Affairs Ministry said 288 Indians remained uncontactable, including 73 power-project workers.
- American nationals
- The United States said 90 Americans were unaccounted for in China and Nepal; three had been rescued.