Nepal flash floods kill 626 as over 2,400 remain missing

Kathmandu,UPDATED: Aug 29, 2026 13:42 IST

The death toll from the flash floods in Nepal rose to 626 on Saturday, with rescue teams continuing search and relief operations as more than 2,400 people remained missing. Nearly 2,500 people have been evacuated so far, while hospitals remained crowded with those injured in the disaster and families waited for news of missing relatives.

The floods were triggered on Wednesday when an ice-rock avalanche after a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border sent water, mud and debris rushing downstream through central Nepal. The torrent devastated towns and villages, swept away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges, and damaged hydropower projects.

According to the latest update from the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, 626 people have been reported dead in Nepal. On the Chinese side, seven people were killed, Tibet's emergency management department said. Rescuers continued operations amid fears of another wave of flooding after water levels rose in the Bhotekoshi River.

The NDRRMA had issued a warning on Friday after water levels increased at the site of Wednesday's flash flood. "The water level mixed with mud has increased at the same place where the flash flood occurred on Wednesday, and there is a risk of more flooding in the area," it said.

More than 11,000 security personnel, including over 5,000 Nepal Army personnel, have been mobilised for search and rescue work. An 11-member Indian team of medical personnel and tunnel rescue experts also arrived in Nepal to assist local authorities.

The Nepal Army's Public Relations Directorate said 2,465 people had been evacuated, including 163 foreigners. They included 113 Indians, 26 Chinese, 15 South Koreans, four Germans, two each from Italy and the US, and one Omani national. It said 191 workers were evacuated from tunnels at various hydropower projects in Trishuli and Rasuwa. Of the total rescued, 2,265 were airlifted by helicopters and 200 were evacuated by land. Emergency health centres at Dhunche and Trishuli have so far provided treatment to 1,706 people brought out from flood-hit areas.

In a relief for movement, the Mugling-Kathmandu highway, a key road link connecting the capital with other parts of the country, reopened on Saturday, Nepal Police said in a notice. The road had been shut since Wednesday because of the risk of flooding and landslides. highways and several major road sections in central Nepal have remained obstructed for the past four days because of flood and landslide risks.

With the toll continuing to rise, search and rescue efforts remained under way across central Nepal on Saturday, even as authorities warned of fresh flooding and thousands of families awaited information on those still missing.

With PTI Inputs

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