Tibet Earthquake: Quake of Magnitude 5 Strikes Country Amid Deadly Floods

A magnitude 5 earthquake struck Tibet on Thursday as rescue and recovery operations continued in areas devastated by catastrophic flooding near the border with Nepal. According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), the earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 km. There were no immediate reports of deaths, injuries or damage from the tremor, according to a report.

The earthquake comes just over a week after a major flash flood triggered by the collapse of a glacier in Tibet swept through parts of the Himalayan region, leaving thousands dead or missing across Tibet and Nepal. Earthquake in Tibet: Quake of Magnitude 4.5 on Richter Scale Strikes Region, No Casualties Reported.

Earthquake Hits as Rescue Operations Continue

The tremor struck while Chinese authorities were continuing search operations in the flood-hit areas around the Gyirong border crossing. The affected region remains difficult to access because of damaged infrastructure, persistent rain, unstable cliffs and fast-flowing water in the narrow mountain terrain. The possibility of landslides remains a concern for rescue teams. Authorities have not reported any immediate impact from Thursday's earthquake on the ongoing rescue operation. Nepal Flash Floods Put India’s Glacial Lakes Under Focus.

Tibet Flood Death Toll at 21

China's official death toll from the flooding in Tibet had risen to 21 by Wednesday, while 541 people remained missing. The missing include 104 Nepali citizens, 49 Indians, 33 Latvians and six Canadians, according to figures cited by Reuters. Among the missing Indians are pilgrims believed to have been travelling to Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash. The disaster severely damaged roads and infrastructure around Gyirong, disrupting access to the affected areas.

Road to Gyirong Reopened

China on Wednesday reopened the only road leading to the Gyirong border crossing after sections of the G216 national highway were washed away by the floods.

The reopening has allowed heavy machinery and additional rescue equipment to reach the main disaster zone. Before road access was restored, authorities had to rely on airdrops to deliver supplies, while some rescuers travelled through mountainous terrain on foot. Chinese state media showed excavators, sniffer dogs and life-detection equipment being deployed in the search for missing people.

Nepal Faces Wider Impact

The disaster also caused extensive destruction on the Nepalese side of the border. As of Thursday, Nepal had reported at least 1,252 confirmed deaths, with more than 4,200 people still missing. The flooding has destroyed homes, roads and other infrastructure and has left rescue teams working in difficult mountainous conditions.

In Nepal, search operations are also focused on areas where people may still be trapped, including hydropower facilities and tunnels affected by the floods. International teams are assisting the country's rescue and recovery efforts.

China Steps Up Assistance

Beijing has said it will provide additional support for the recovery effort, including DNA identification experts and emergency supplies. The assistance includes temporary Bailey bridges, mortuary refrigerators and communications equipment intended to support search, identification and relief operations in the disaster-hit areas.

With access improving in parts of Tibet, rescue teams are expected to intensify searches for those still missing. However, difficult weather, unstable terrain and the latest seismic activity continue to pose challenges to operations.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 03, 2026 03:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).