Devastating flash floods and landslides in Nepal have resulted in at least 22 confirmed deaths, with hundreds of people reported missing. The disaster, which began on August 26, 2026, swept away buildings and bridges, leaving a trail of destruction.
Horrifying footage captured by CCTV cameras shows a massive mudslide surging into Gyirong Port on the China-Nepal border. The torrent engulfed the area within seconds, sending vehicles and buses flying and tearing through infrastructure. Another video, filmed from inside a bus, depicts people fleeing as a wall of water rushes towards them, their screams echoing as the floodwaters rise.
Experts believe a 4.4-magnitude earthquake may have triggered an ice avalanche, which then blocked the Lhende River. The accumulated water eventually burst through the blockage, leading to the catastrophic downstream flooding.
Nepal's Ministry of Energy reported that 430 MW of electricity supply, primarily from hydroelectric projects, has been affected, representing over 12% of the country's total hydropower capacity. Approximately 60 employees of an under-construction hydropower project are among the missing.
International Impact and Missing Persons
The mudslide on the Nepali side also impacted China's Gyirong port, cutting off roads, communications, and power in the Shigatse region. According to Nepali officials, 384 tourists and trekkers are unaccounted for, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali citizens. Among the missing are 12 individuals from the UK, 105 Indian nationals, four from South Africa, 17 from Malaysia, and three from the United States. One person each from Australia and the Netherlands are also unaccounted for. South Korea reported eight of its citizens missing and an additional 12 stranded.
Fears are mounting that a second flood could endanger Nepal, Tibet, and neighboring India. Flood alerts have been issued for the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, which border Nepal and receive river flow from the mountains.
Rescue Efforts and Future Concerns
Search operations are underway on both sides of the Tibet-Nepal border. Authorities have deployed nearly 600 rescuers to Gyirong Port, but access is difficult due to five feet of sediment blocking pathways. The Nepal Army has deployed 14 helicopters and disaster response teams. However, helicopter landings in affected areas of Nepal, such as Syapru Besi and Timure in Rasuwa district, remain impossible due to high water levels.
Qianggong Zhang, head of climate and environmental risks at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, warned that the region could face further threats if the upstream river blockage persists. Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged full search efforts and improved monitoring systems, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged humanitarian assistance and emphasized coordination between the two countries.