Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Nepal Floods Leave 600 Children Missing, Death Toll 1,282
A huge flash flood struck Nepal after ice, rocks and mud rushed down from near the Nepal-Tibet border.
It damaged towns, villages, roads, homes and schools.
At least 1,282 people have died, and 4,798 people are still missing.
About 600 of the missing people are children from two districts, Rasuwa and Nuwakot.
Officials are still checking the numbers because communications were damaged.
Some families are looking for children, while some children are looking for parents.
Rescue teams from Nepal and other countries are searching for survivors.
Nepal says rebuilding homes and infrastructure will cost billions of dollars.
Flash floods triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26 killed at least 1,282 people.
Authorities are searching for 4,798 missing people, including about 600 children in Rasuwa and Nuwakot.
Twenty-two teachers and school staff remain missing, while 22 schools were affected and 12 were completely destroyed.
Nepal estimates flood-related property, housing and infrastructure losses at 387.5 billion Nepalese rupees, or $2.56 billion.
Australia sent a 15-member drone-focused response team, while families of missing Americans urged the United States to expand assistance.
- Who
- At least 1,282 people have died, while thousands of residents, children, teachers and foreign nationals are missing; Nepali authorities and international teams are conducting rescue operations.
- What
- Flash floods killed at least 1,282 people, left 4,798 missing and caused extensive damage across Nepal.
- When
- The floods began on August 26; the death toll and missing-person figures were reported on Friday, with coverage dated September 3–4, 2026.
- Where
- Northern and central Nepal, especially Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and downstream districts along the Trishuli River; flooding also affected the Gyirong border area in Tibet.
- Why
- An ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border sent an ice, rock and mud flow down the Trishuli River, triggering the floods.
Families and international critics
Authorities and responding governments
United States assistance
Families and international critics
Families of missing Americans said they had not been told of an American aircraft, search team or consular officer in the valley and urged Washington to provide aircraft, search equipment, satellite analysis, emergency connectivity, coordination and additional funding.
Authorities and responding governments
The reports describe families’ requests to Secretary of State Marco Rubio but do not establish that the United States accepted or rejected each request.
Rescue strategy
Families and international critics
Families and foreign officials emphasize the need for more aircraft, advanced technology and coordinated international action to locate people in difficult terrain.
Authorities and responding governments
Nepal’s security forces are conducting a joint search, while Australia has deployed drone specialists and victim-identification personnel at the request of Nepali authorities; officials continue to hold out hope for survivors.
Missing-person figures
Families and international critics
Local education officials report that at least 300 pupils may be missing in Nuwakot and 280 in Rasuwa, with new reports still emerging.
Authorities and responding governments
Officials stress that communications are broken and verification is ongoing, so the exact number of missing students, teachers and identified victims has not yet been established.
- Death toll
- At least 1,282 people, including two who died while receiving treatment in Kathmandu hospitals.
- People missing
- Nepal’s security forces are searching for 4,798 people reported missing.
- Children missing
- About 280 children are missing in Rasuwa and 300–350 in Nuwakot.
- Education impact
- Twenty-two schools in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading were affected; 12 were completely destroyed.
- Missing education staff
- Twenty-two teachers and school staff remain missing across Rasuwa and Nuwakot.
- Estimated losses
- Nepal estimates property, housing and infrastructure losses at 387.5 billion Nepalese rupees, or $2.56 billion.
- International response
- Australia sent a 15-member team, mainly specialist drone pilots, and plans to send seven Australian Federal Police disaster victim identification specialists.
