Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Nepal Flash Floods Leave Indians Missing As Death Toll Rises
A huge flood hit parts of Nepal near its border with China.
An avalanche blocked a smaller river called the Lhende, causing water and debris to rush downstream.
The flood damaged towns, homes, roads, bridges and communication systems.
Many people died, but officials gave different death totals as bodies were found and information was checked.
Thousands of people were still missing or could not be contacted.
Nearly 300 or more than 300 Indians were among those reported missing, including many people traveling to Kailash Manasarovar.
India and Nepal are working together to find people and provide emergency help.
Indian embassies and Nepal’s tourism authorities shared phone numbers for families seeking information.
Flash floods swept through three Nepalese districts on Wednesday after an avalanche blocked the Lhende tributary.
The disaster began near Timure and Rasuwagadhi in the Rasuwa region, close to Nepal’s border with China.
Nepalese officials reported deaths ranging from 160 to 177, with figures changing as rescue work continued.
Nearly 300 or more than 300 Indians, many Kailash Manasarovar pilgrims, were reported missing or out of contact.
India and Nepal are coordinating rescue efforts, while embassies issued helplines and India sent 10 tonnes of relief material.
- Who
- Residents of affected Nepalese districts, foreign nationals and Indian travelers, Nepalese authorities, and Indian authorities.
- What
- Flash floods caused deaths, missing-person reports, destroyed homes and infrastructure, and widespread damage.
- When
- The floods struck on Wednesday, with officials providing updated figures on Thursday.
- Where
- The flooding began near Timure and Rasuwagadhi in Nepal’s Rasuwa region, near the Nepal-China border, and affected three districts.
- Why
- An avalanche blocked the Lhende tributary of the Bhotekoshi River, reportedly causing water and debris to surge downstream.
Earlier or Lower Estimates
Later or Higher Estimates
Death toll
Earlier or Lower Estimates
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal cited 160 deaths, while Nepal Police later reported 162 or 165.
Later or Higher Estimates
Later reports cited an official death toll of 177 as rescue teams recovered bodies and authorities updated records.
Missing Indians
Earlier or Lower Estimates
Earlier figures listed 133 Indians and 37 non-resident Indians among nearly 500 missing people; Nepalese tourism authorities separately listed 179 Indians.
Later or Higher Estimates
Khanal later said nearly 300 or more than 300 Indian nationals were reported missing or out of contact.
Overall missing population
Earlier or Lower Estimates
Initial reporting cited nearly 500 missing people, while another official account cited 800.
Later or Higher Estimates
Khanal described thousands of people as untraced and said around 500 foreign nationals were out of contact, indicating that the figures were still being reconciled.
- Reported death toll
- Nepalese officials cited totals of 160, 162, 165 and later 177 in different updates.
- Missing people
- Reports described thousands as missing or untraced; one report cited 800 missing people and another cited nearly 500 people initially.
- Missing Indians
- Nepal’s foreign minister said nearly 300 or more than 300 Indians were missing or out of contact.
- Earlier Indian figures
- An earlier report listed 133 Indians and 37 non-resident Indians among nearly 500 missing people; another Nepalese tourism listing cited 179 Indians.
- Affected area
- The floods struck three districts, including the Rasuwa region and settlements along the Bhotekoshi River.
- Reported cause
- An ice-and-rock avalanche or avalanche blocked the Lhende Khola, a tributary of the Bhotekoshi River.
- Relief response
- India sent 10 tonnes of humanitarian and disaster-relief material, while Indian and Nepalese authorities coordinated rescue operations.
Sources
Nepal Flash Floods: Over 300 Indians Among 800 Missing, Says Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal
‘Towns wiped out within hours’: Nepal says nearly 300 Indians, mostly Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims, missing after floods
Over 300 Indians missing after Nepal flash floods, says foreign minister Shishir Khanal - Telegraph India
'Nearly 300 Indians Among Thousands Reported Missing': Nepal Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal On Floods
Over 300 Indians missing in flash floods: Nepal govt
300 Indians missing after flash floods, confirms Nepal Foreign Minister
