Archive · 28 Aug 2026
China Evacuates Over 1,000 After Tibet-Nepal Flash Floods
Flash floods hit Gyirong County near the border between China and Nepal on Wednesday.
The water swept through villages, towns, and a border port.
More than 1,000 people were moved to safer places, including 555 tourists.
Officials said no tourists were still stranded in the area.
Rescue teams brought workers, equipment, food, and medical supplies by air.
Roads, phone services, and electricity were damaged.
Reports gave different numbers for deaths in Tibet and Nepal.
One report said 558 people were still missing, including 260 foreigners.
A newly formed lake could also overflow and cause more flooding downstream.
More than 1,000 people, including 555 tourists, were evacuated from Gyirong County after Wednesday’s flash floods.
Reports gave differing casualty figures, including three or five deaths in Tibet and 469 or 538 deaths in Nepal.
One report said 558 people remained missing, including 260 identified foreign nationals whose nationalities were not released.
Civil aviation teams transported 324 rescue personnel and delivered 24 tonnes of equipment, necessities, and medical supplies.
A Level-IV alert was issued for a barrier lake holding about 2 million cubic metres of water near two rivers.
- Who
- Residents, construction workers, tourists, Chinese officials, rescue personnel, and civil aviation authorities were involved.
- What
- Flash floods prompted the evacuation of more than 1,000 people and triggered rescue, resettlement, and infrastructure-repair efforts.
- When
- The floods struck on Wednesday, with evacuation and casualty updates reported on Friday, August 28, 2026.
- Where
- Gyirong County and Gyirong Port in the Tibet Autonomous Region, near the China-Nepal border.
- Why
- The floods caused deaths, missing people, infrastructure damage, and a risk that a newly formed barrier lake could breach and flood downstream areas.
Earlier Reported Figures
Later Reported Figures
Deaths in Tibet
Earlier Reported Figures
Earlier reports from Chinese officials said three people had died in Tibet.
Later Reported Figures
A later report citing Tibet’s emergency management department said the regional death toll had risen to five.
Deaths in Nepal
Earlier Reported Figures
Earlier reports cited 469 deaths in Nepal.
Later Reported Figures
Another report said the floods had claimed as many as 538 lives in Nepal.
Missing people
Earlier Reported Figures
Earlier reports said hundreds of people remained missing without giving a specific total.
Later Reported Figures
A later report said 558 people were missing, including 260 identified foreign nationals.
- People evacuated
- More than 1,000
- Tourists evacuated
- 555
- Villagers and construction workers evacuated
- 499
- Missing people
- 558, according to one Chinese emergency-management report
- Foreign nationals among missing
- 260 identified people; nationalities were not released
- Rescue personnel transported
- 324
- Supplies delivered
- 24 tonnes of rescue equipment, daily necessities, and medical supplies
- Barrier lake water volume
- About 2 million cubic metres, with another 3 million potentially flowing in over three days
