Over 100 people have been killed and hundreds (including many foreign tourists) remain missing after catastrophic flash floods and mudslides struck the Nepal-Tibet border region on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.

The disaster hit early that morning (around 9 a.m. local time), primarily affecting Rasuwa district in northern Nepal (including Syapru Besi and Timure), with impacts extending downstream to Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan, and other areas along the Bhote Koshi (Bhotekoshi)/Trishuli river system. It also struck Gyirong Port/county on the Chinese (Tibet) side.

Cause

Initial assessments point to an ice-rock avalanche from a glacier on the Nepali side (involving the Lhende Khola, a tributary of the Bhote Koshi) that temporarily blocked the river before releasing a sudden, massive surge of water, mud, rock, and debris. Nepal’s foreign minister referenced a possible earthquake trigger for an avalanche; some reports note a magnitude ~4.4 quake in the broader region around that time. Climate and mountain experts (including from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development/ICIMOD in Kathmandu) have described it as a glacial ice-rock avalanche event, noting the river had flooded previously. Heavy local rainfall in Nepal was not the primary driver.

Authorities have warned of possible secondary flooding due to remaining upstream blockage and issued alerts for downstream areas, including parts of India (e.g., Bihar and Uttar Pradesh).

Casualties and Missing

- Nepal: Confirmed deaths reported at 95 or higher by the Prime Minister’s Office, police, and major outlets (figures rose through the day from early reports of under 10–20). Dozens more injured.

- Tibet/China: At least 3 dead and around 265 missing reported in some accounts; Chinese President Xi Jinping called for all-out search efforts.

- Missing: Hundreds overall. Nepal’s Tourism Board and officials initially reported ~384–391 travellers missing (roughly 291 foreigners + ~93 Nepalis), including large numbers of Indians (often cited around 105–133+, many linked to Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage routes), British nationals (12+), Americans (at least 3, with some higher tallies), Malaysians, South Africans, South Koreans (workers at hydropower sites), and others from multiple countries. Additional missing include security personnel (dozens of police, army, armed police), hydropower workers, customs/border staff, and locals. Later updates pushed some totals higher (e.g., 400–600+ range in evolving reports). Verification is ongoing amid disrupted communications.

Rescue operations involve the Nepali Army, police, and other forces; dozens to over 100 people have been rescued or airlifted in some updates, though high waters prevented helicopter landings in key affected zones early on. Helplines and coordination with embassies (especially Indian) are active.

Damage and Impacts

Villages and settlements were swept away or heavily damaged; roads, bridges (dozens reported affected, including motorable ones), and border infrastructure were destroyed or cut. Hydropower facilities took a major hit—around 430 MW of capacity affected (over 12% of Nepal’s national hydropower total in some calculations)—disrupting electricity production, transmission, and supply. Communications and access (including the main road toward Kathmandu in parts) were severely impacted. The area is popular with trekkers and pilgrims.

Nepal’s Prime Minister ordered evacuations to safer areas and convened emergency discussions. Search-and-rescue and relief efforts continue on both sides of the border, with offers of assistance from neighbors including India. Numbers are still evolving as waters recede and access improves; secondary risks remain.

This is a rapidly developing situation based on reports from Reuters, BBC, Al Jazeera, AP, local Nepali sources, and Chinese state media as of August 26, 2026. For the latest official updates, check Nepal government/police/Tourism Board channels or major international news outlets.