A sudden and catastrophic flash flood tore through a village along the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, 2026, destroying buildings and prompting a desperate search for hundreds of missing people. The Bhote Koshi River overflowed its banks, unleashing a powerful wall of water and mud that swept through the settlement in a matter of seconds.
At least 95 people have been confirmed dead in Nepal, with more than 90 Nepali citizens and over 300 foreign nationals reported missing. Among the missing are 47 Americans, 33 Britons, and 105 Indian nationals. Thousands of tourists and trekkers are believed to be in the region.
Video footage shows the initial wave erupting over the riverbank, quickly engulfing homes and trees. The relentless flow of water and debris inundated a main road and spread across fields where people were desperately trying to escape. The flood left a 30-mile trail of destruction.
Officials in China-controlled Tibet also reported feared major casualties after a mudslide impacted a land crossing in the county of Gyirong. A video from Tibet showed the Gyirong Port land crossing being torn apart and washed downstream.
Experts believe the disaster was triggered by a 4.4-magnitude earthquake that caused an ice avalanche. This avalanche reportedly blocked the Lhende River, leading to a build-up of water that eventually burst through with devastating force.
Following the initial flood, towns were left covered in thick layers of mud, with debris jutting out of the silt and vehicles submerged. Search and rescue operations are underway, with concerns that more bodies may be discovered.
The nationalities of nearly 100 additional missing individuals have not yet been established. Among the missing are 12 British citizens on a guided tour, and eight South Korean citizens, with another 12 South Koreans stranded.
Flood alerts have been issued for the northern Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, which border Nepal, as rivers flow from the mountains into their plains. Authorities are concerned about the potential for further flooding.
The UK's Parliamentary Under Secretary of State expressed deep concern for those affected and stated that the UK is working with Nepalese authorities regarding missing British nationals. The British embassy in Kathmandu also conveyed its sadness and urged British nationals in Nepal to follow official guidance and exercise caution.