Nepal Flash Floods: Death Toll Reaches 392; 290 Indians Untraceable
Of the 392 fatalities reported so far, 389 were recorded in Nepal and three in neighbouring Tibet. Nepal has reported 910 people missing, while authorities in Tibet have reported another 558 unaccounted for.
The death toll from devastating flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border has risen to 392, while 1,468 people remain missing on both sides of the border. Among those untraceable are 290 Indian nationals, as rescue teams continue to search areas cut off by destroyed roads, collapsed bridges and heavy deposits of mud and debris. Authorities are also monitoring a newly formed barrier lake that could trigger another surge of flooding downstream, India Today reported.
392 Dead, More Than 1,400 Missing
Of the 392 fatalities reported so far, 389 were recorded in Nepal and three in neighbouring Tibet. Nepal has reported 910 people missing, while authorities in Tibet have reported another 558 unaccounted for. Nepal Flash Floods: 2 Arrested After Viral Video Shows Gold Earrings Removed From Victim’s Body.
Nepal Police said 796 people, including 50 foreign nationals, had been rescued by helicopter, while another 796 were evacuated by land. Search teams are continuing operations in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan and other affected districts.
The rescue effort has been complicated by extensive infrastructure damage. Roads and bridges have been washed away, while several settlements remain difficult to reach.
290 Indians Remain Untraceable
India has intensified efforts to locate 290 nationals who remain uncontactable in Nepal's flood-hit areas. The Ministry of External Affairs is coordinating with Nepalese authorities, state governments, tour operators and other agencies to establish their whereabouts. Tragedy in Nepal: How Do Flash Floods Happen?.
India has so far rescued 84 nationals, including 63 workers from the Trishuli-I hydropower project and 21 people from Tamil Nadu. Around 200 Indian nationals on the Tibet side have also sought assistance for evacuation. The MEA has established a 24-hour control room to assist with tracing and evacuation efforts.
Nepalese authorities also rescued 27 foreign tourists stranded in Rasuwa on Thursday, including 11 Indians. The group was airlifted to Kathmandu by the Nepal Army. Many Indian visitors in the affected region were travelling towards Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet or Gosainkunda in Nepal.
New Barrier Lake Raises Fresh Flood Risk
Even as rescue operations continue, authorities are warning of another potential danger from a newly formed barrier lake near the source of the Bhote Koshi river system.
Chinese authorities estimated that about 2 million cubic metres of water had accumulated in the lake by Thursday morning. Another 3 million cubic metres could flow into the lake over the following three days, raising concerns that the natural barrier could breach.
Nepal's Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has warned of a continuing flood risk along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers. Residents have been advised to stay away from riverbanks and move to safer locations.
Chinese authorities are monitoring the lake and conducting simulations and risk assessments. A Chinese rescue team equipped with communication and detection equipment has also reached Gyirong to assess the upstream blockage.
Glacial Collapse Triggered Disaster
The floods were initially accompanied by reports of an earthquake, but subsequent analysis found that the disaster was triggered by a glacial collapse and an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border.
According to the US Geological Survey's revised analysis, long-period seismic waves recorded during the event were generated by the glacial collapse and debris flow rather than an earthquake.
The avalanche temporarily blocked the Lhende River. When the natural blockage gave way, a large volume of water, ice, rocks and debris moved downstream into the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems.
Roads, Bridges and Hydropower Projects Damaged
The floods have caused extensive damage to Nepal's transport and energy infrastructure. The Department of Roads said the 42-km stretch between Betrawati in Nuwakot and Rasuwagadhi was damaged at multiple locations. Authorities also reported damage to 35 motorable bridges, 45 suspension bridges and around 40 km of black-topped roads.
Several hydropower facilities, including the Trishuli and Devighat projects, were also affected. The damage has severely restricted access to some of the worst-hit areas, making it difficult for rescue teams to reach stranded residents and recover bodies.
India Sends Relief Supplies
India has expanded its humanitarian assistance to Nepal as the rescue operation continues. After sending 10 tonnes of relief material on Wednesday, India dispatched another 37.5 tonnes on Thursday, taking the total assistance to 47.5 tonnes.
The supplies include temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps, medicines and food packets. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also spoken with Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah and assured him of India's humanitarian support.
Rescue Operations Continue
Nepalese security forces, helicopters, drones and ground teams are continuing searches across riverbanks, isolated settlements, hospitals and hydropower sites. Families of missing people have been visiting hospitals and rescue centres in Kathmandu, Chitwan and other locations in search of information about relatives.
Officials are also collecting phone numbers, location details and other information from families to trace people whose whereabouts remain unknown.
The full extent of the destruction is still being assessed, but authorities are simultaneously dealing with the immediate rescue operation and the risk of another flood surge from the newly formed barrier lake.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 28, 2026 07:20 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
