&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Nepal flash floods LIVE updates: Magnitude 5.0 earthquake strikes Tibet region")
Nepal flash floods live updates: Rescue teams searched through thick mud and debris on Thursday (Aug 27) after catastrophic floods and landslides along Nepal’s border with Tibet killed at least 332 people and left several hundred others missing, including hundreds of foreign tourists. Authorities have warned that the toll was expected to rise.
The disaster tore through settlements along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers, with a tsunami-like surge of water and mud sweeping away villages and engulfing buildings. Nepali police said they had recovered 162 bodies.
Rescuers waded through sludge in the search for survivors after floodwaters buried the lower floors of multi-storey buildings.
Foreign tourists among those unaccounted for
Nepal’s tourism ministry said 403 tourists, including 341 foreigners, were unaccounted for in the hours after the disaster struck. The missing included 142 Indians, as well as nationals from Australia, Britain, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea and the United States.
What caused the deadly Nepal floods?
Authorities initially struggled to establish what triggered the catastrophe. Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal had said an earthquake may have caused a landslide, blocking a river before water surged downstream.
But the US Geological Survey said on Thursday that seismic activity initially reported as an earthquake "was instead a glacial collapse and debris flow" that "caused subsequent catastrophic impacts downstream."
Tibet rescue operation underway
The crisis has also spread across the border. In Tibet, the Chinese state broadcaster reported that a "mudslide disaster" at Gyirong Port killed three people, while 265 others remained missing.
Tibet government officials mobilised nearly 800 emergency workers, 150 vehicles, sniffer dogs and speed boats for the rescue operation, according to Xinhua.
With remote areas still difficult to reach, authorities warned the toll could rise.
Stay with WION to follow latest updates on Nepal floods
A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck China's Tibet region late on Thursday, the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) said. The epicentre was hundreds of miles north of the regions of Nepal that was hit by a devastating flash flood on Wednesday that killed hundreds and left more than 1,000 people missing. China has activated a Level-IV flood response in Tibet amid the risk of a barrier lake breach,
Ahmedabad resident Bhavin Raval, who travelled to Nepal from Australia for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, has been missing amid flash floods on Wednesday. He was travelling with two close friends as part of a larger group of 26 people, organised by the travel agency 'Kailash Journey'.
"Today also happens to be Bhavin Raval's birthday. We are trying to call, but there are network issues at the moment...It has been 22 hours, yet there has been no contact," said Bhavin's elder brother Dhaval Raval.
In a post on the social media platform X, UN Chief Antonio Guterres said, “I am saddened by the severe flooding in Nepal & China, which has claimed many lives, left people missing, and caused widespread destruction.”
“I extend my condolences to the families of the victims, and I wish a swift recovery to those injured. My solidarity is with all those affected.”
“In Nepal, the @UNis supporting the Government-led response. UN teams & humanitarian partners are mobilizing supplies & personnel to support communities affected by the floods.”
3 bodies recovered from Gandak river in UP's Maharajganj3 bodies recovered from Gandak river in UP's MaharajganjThree bodies, including those of two women, were recovered from the Gandak River in the Nichlaul area of Uttar Pradesh's Maharajganj district on Thursday, August 27, 2026. Officials confirm that the deceased are believed to have been swept downstream from flood-hit Nepal, which is currently reeling from severe flash floods.
The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday said that it was closely monitoring the rescue of pilgrims from the State who were stranded in Nepal due to the flash floods and is also ascertaining the whereabouts of the group of 49 people who had left for the Himalayan country from Chennai. A total of 21 Indian nationals from the State have been rescued in Nepal, according to officials.
The death toll from Wednesday's devastating flash flood rises to 359, with bodies being recovered from eight districts as of 5 pm in local time on Thursday, August 27. The latest figures show 17 bodies recovered in Rasuwa, 28 in Nuwakot, 33 in Dhading, 132 in Chitwan, 30 in Gorkha, 22 in Tanahun, 82 in Nawalparasi East and 15 in Nawalparasi West. Police and other security agencies continue search and rescue operations in the affected districts, while evacuating families at the risk of further flooding.
In view of the prevailing flood situation in Nepal, a 24×7 Control Room has been set up in the Ministry of External Affairs. The Control Room can be contacted at:
Telephone Numbers: +91 11 2308 8718
+91 11 2308 8719
For WhatsApp Calls/Messages: +91 9968291988
Email: situationroom@mea.gov.in
Emergency Contact Numbers of Embassy of India in Kathmandu are: (can also be contacted on whatsapp)
+977 985 131 6807
+977 970 910 7500
+977 981 032 6117
Nepali authorities can also be contacted at the following helpline numbers:
Tourist Police: +977 9851289445
Nepal Army: +977 9851072914 (email: dgmi-foreign@nepalarmy.mil.np)
NDRRMA: +977 9851320269 / +977 9849281097 / @NDRRMA_Nepal
Rasuwa Police: +977 9851254960
Assistant Chief District Officer, Rasuwa: +977 9851164422
Nuwakot Police: +977 9851282380
Assistant Chief District Officer, Nuwakot: +977 9851248777
Dhading Police: +977 9851229860
Chief District Officer, Dhading: +977 9851247777
Chitwan Police: +977 9855013999
Assistant Chief District Officer, Chitwan: +977 9855088891
China's Ministry of Water Resources said that a significant barrier lake has formed near the confluence of the Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers in Nepal, with its water volume estimated at 2 million cubic meters as of Thursday morning and the lake already overflowing.
Pope Leo XIV was "saddened to learn of the loss of life and devastation caused by the flash floods in Nepal," the Vatican said Thursday.
"His holiness sends heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved, together with the assurance of his spiritual closeness to those affected by this tragedy," read the note written by the Vatican's secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "The assistance that we have provided: two aircraft with humanitarian assistance have been sent to Kathmandu... Eight tons of medicine and one ton of food items in total across the two departures by air. India has sent 47.5 tons of emergency supplies aimed at supporting Nepal's ongoing rescue and relief operations
In view of the flood situation in Nepal, a 24×7 Control Room has been set up in the Ministry of External Affairs. The Control Room can be contacted at: Telephone Numbers: +91 11 2308 8718, +91 11 2308 8719For WhatsApp Calls/Messages: +91 9968291988
Email: situationroom@mea.gov.in
Emergency Contact Numbers of Embassy of India in Kathmandu are: (can also be contacted on whatsapp)- +977 985 131 6807, +977 970 910 7500, +977 981 032 6117
Amid heightened alerts in border regions following the flash floods in Nepal, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju sought to reassure the public, emphasising that India is prepared to handle natural disasters. Speaking to reporters, Rijiju said that arrangements have already reached the border areas which might be affected if the flood wave generated in Nepal could travel downstream through the Gandak River and affect vulnerable districts in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. "Administration and the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) arrangements are there. Any natural disaster that happens to us, India already has preparations to handle natural disasters. So I believe that our preparation is good, and we are all very worried about the incident that has happened in Nepal," Rijiju said.
Tourist Police: +977 9851289445
Nepal Army: +977 9851072914 (email: dgmi-foreign@nepalarmy.mil.np)
NDRRMA: +977 9851320269 / +977 9849281097 / @NDRRMA_Nepal
Rasuwa Police: +977 9851254960
Assistant Chief District Officer, Rasuwa: +977 9851164422
Nuwakot Police: +977 9851282380
Assistant Chief District Officer, Nuwakot: +977 9851248777
Dhading Police: +977 9851229860
Chief District Officer, Dhading: +977 9851247777
Chitwan Police: +977 9855013999
Assistant Chief District Officer, Chitwan: +977 9855088891
Buddhist spiritual leader Dalai Lama on Thursday said he was praying for those who lost their lives in the devastating floods in Nepal and Tibet. "I pray for all those who have lost their lives, and offer my sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved and to all those affected by this tragedy," he said in a statement.
A total of 288 Indian nationals remain uncontactable in Nepal, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson, ministry of external affairs said during a press briefing
AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday urged the union government to assist those affected by the devastating floods in Nepal. He also emphasised the need for national unity during the crisis.
Expressing profound grief over the loss of lives, the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said he would write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard.
“A major tragedy has occurred in Nepal... a number of Indians have lost their lives in the tragedy. Hundreds of people who had gone on pilgrimage or as tourists have lost their lives. The incident has caused grief to all of us. We should all be together during this time of distress,” Mr. Kharge said.
The Nepal Tourism Board on Thursday (August 27, 2026) released an updated list of missing persons since the massive flash flood swept through the country.
Among the missing are 178 from India, 65 from the United States, 53 from Ukraine, 51 from Malaysia, 35 from Australia, 33 from Britain and 25 from Canada. In addition, there are nine from Singapore, eight from Germany and eight from Russia.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said nearly 300 Indian tourists are among thousands who are reportedly missing in the flash floods.
There has been no adverse flood impact reported in Indian border territories following the flash floods in Nepal, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Inspector General Narendra Singh Bundela said, adding that agencies are closely monitoring water discharge levels across sensitive districts such as Kushinagar and West Champaran.
The confirmed death toll has reached 177 after a catastrophic glacial collapse in the Himalayas triggered massive flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border
The disaster management authority in Meghalaya on Thursday urged people to provide information about those who may be uncontactable, following flash floods in Nepal. A dedicated helpline 6009924512 has been made available for the purpose. People can also contact 112/1070 for emergencies and CM Connect at 1971, the SDMA said.
Nearly 100 Chinese nationals are missing in Nepal after deadly flooding at the border region, Beijing’s foreign ministry said on Thursday, as at least 1,300 remain people remain unaccounted for.
“In the disaster-stricken area on the Nepalese side, the number of Chinese citizens missing is nearly 100,” ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters.
The Chinese embassy was “seeking further verification” from Nepali authorities, he added.
Uttar Pradesh Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh said on Thursday that the state's border districts remained safe after a surge of water from flood-hit Nepal passed through the Narayani River system.
Singh said officials had initially anticipated that nearly 3 lakh cusecs of water could flow downstream through the Narayani and Kosi river systems. However, the expected surge was lower. Around midnight, the discharge was recorded at about 1.5 lakh cusecs, and the water passed safely through Kushinagar, he said.
Embankments Remain Secure
The minister said all embankments in Uttar Pradesh remained secure, with no major problems reported in villages or border areas.
Irrigation Department officials and district administrations remained on alert through the night to monitor water levels and prepare for any possible impact.
Singh said officials acted on Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's directions and maintained round-the-clock monitoring of the situation. He said the preparedness measures helped ensure that the water passed safely downstream without causing major damage in Uttar Pradesh.
Nepal's devastating flash floods along the Bhote Koshi River have killed at least 175 people, according to Nepal Embassy sources, while hundreds remain missing. Former Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal described the disaster as an unprecedented flash flood that caused extensive destruction across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan and Gorkha.
In an interview with ANI, senior Nepalese leader and former Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal assessed the gravity of the disaster, stating, “The flood that occurred in Nepal is not a general flood but it's a flash flood and it's very dangerous. Actually, it devastated a lot of things in Nepal. For example, when it entered the Nepal border, it flew through Roshwar district, Noakot district, Daring district and Chitwan district and even Gorkha district too. So a lot of settlements were there, thousands of people were settling there and the destruction and about 14 hydropower projects have been damaged very much and 160 people have been killed up to 8 according to the information and more than 500 people are missing.”
Spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev said 77 members of an Isha Foundation Kailash pilgrimage group remain unaccounted for after a devastating flash flood struck the Gyirong area near the Tibet-Nepal border.
Sadhguru, who is currently in Tibet, said he was unable to reach the affected area as roads were blocked and telecommunications were down. The group had 80 pilgrims from several countries, along with volunteers and a doctor.
Sadhguru seeks help from embassies
He said the team is working with the Chinese and Indian embassies in Nepal to send assistance and seek permission to reach the disaster zone. He estimated the overall number of missing people could exceed 1,500, while stressing that communication failures have made it difficult to confirm numbers.
Tibetan political leader Penpa Tsering has called the devastating floods near the Nepal-Tibet border a "wake-up call", warning that the fragile Himalayan ecology could have wider consequences for downstream countries, including India.
Tsering said the disaster occurred near Kerung, a key crossing point where customs and police personnel, tourists and Indian pilgrims were present. He said a small Tibetan community on the Nepal side was also affected, with some people reportedly killed, others missing and some escaping into the mountains.
He said the sudden water flow did not appear to be normal rainfall and suggested melting ice or accumulated water may have contributed, though this remains an allegation and has not been independently established.
Tsering compared the incident to the 2007-08 Barichu disaster, which he said affected communities downstream in India.
The Dalai Lama on Thursday expressed sadness over the loss of life and extensive damage caused by devastating floods in Nepal's Rasuwa region and Kyirong in Tibet. He offered condolences to those affected and said the repeated calamities point to deeper causes, including climate change and other factors.
"I am saddened to learn of the devastating floods in the Rasuwa region of Nepal and Kyirong in Tibet, resulting in loss of life and heavy structural damage. I pray for all those who have lost their lives, and offer my sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved and to all those affected by this tragedy," the Dalai Lama said.
"Since this region has seen calamities in the past as well, these are certainly symptoms of a deeper underlying cause -- whether climate change or other factors. I hope that appropriate follow-up measures will be taken, wherever possible, to help ensure that such disasters do not recur," he added.
Opposition parties in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday demanded urgent action to rescue Tamils stranded in flood-hit Nepal. AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami demanded that all 57 Tamils who travelled to Nepal be brought back safely. Congress sought a helicopter rescue operation, while PMK asked for updates on the 37 travellers whose status remains unclear.
937 calls received on helpline
Tamil Nadu Minister A Rajmohan said the government is coordinating with Nepal authorities and has received 937 calls through dedicated helplines. A control room has also been set up at Tamil Nadu House in Delhi.
Government says 103 Tamils stranded
The state government said it is taking steps to rescue 103 Tamils stranded in Nepal following the devastating flash floods, while collecting details of those affected and coordinating search and rescue efforts with Nepal.
Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh is personally coordinating rescue and evacuation efforts for state residents stranded or missing in flood-hit areas of Nepal.
7 people from Andhra Pradesh have been identified as stranded or missing.
4 people have been traced safe but remain stranded.
3 people are still missing, including Bala Subramanyam from Kuppam, Sasi Kumar and Rajyalakshmi Nimmagadda, who were travelling with the Isha Foundation's Group S3.
Bhaskar Shastri and three others from Adoni and Kurnool have been confirmed safe.
The state government is coordinating with the Indian and Nepalese authorities, embassies, the Ministry of External Affairs and other agencies to trace the missing pilgrims and evacuate those stranded.
The affected areas include Syapru Besi, BC and Timure, key transit points for Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims.
C-17 Globemaster Aircraft Commander Captain L Nayak says, "...Today, we are carrying approximately 30 to 40 tons of relief material, medical supplies, and NDRF payloads... The flight time is around 1 hour and 15 minutes; we will be departing at 9:30 AM and landing in Kathmandu at around 10:45 AM. We are carrying adequate fuel to hold in the air for 1 to 1.5 hours if necessary. If the delay is prolonged and we cannot land, we have earmarked two airbases within India, and they have been informed that we may divert there to refuel..."
IG NDRF Narendra Singh Bundela says, "Two planes full of HADR assistance have been sent to Nepal. One of our teams is on standby; it can be sent if we receive a request from the government of Nepal. CWC is monitoring the water level in the Gandak River at Valmiki Barrage (Bihar-UP border)."
AOC Hindon Air Force Station Air Commodore R Dobhal says, "...Since we are always ready for such contingencies, we immediately prepared a C-130J Hercules aircraft. We loaded it with relief materials, medicines, and generators, tasks accomplished with the assistance of civil authorities and the NDRF. We readied the aircraft and launched it as quickly as possible; it took off around 8.30 PM, landed in Nepal within two hours, and delivered approximately 10 tonnes of supplies... The Indian Air Force frequently conducts relief operations, both within India and in neighbouring countries like Nepal, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. Recently, an operation was carried out in Venezuela; the Indian Air Force stands ready to assist anywhere in the world whenever the need arises. Regarding current operations, one aircraft has already departed, and a C-17 is scheduled to leave today; we are fully prepared should further assistance be required..."
The Andhra Pradesh government is collecting details of Andhra tourists stranded in the floods in Nepal. RTGS officials have identified a group of 28 pilgrims from Tirupati who are currently in Kathmandu and confirmed that they are safe, the Andhra Pradesh government said.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says, "Many tourists from India who have gone there (Nepal) are missing. We are really saddened by this. I appeal to the PM to help the families whose relatives are missing or have passed away."
On the flood situation in Nepal, former Nepal Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali says, “Rescue efforts are going on… So far, 162 bodies have been collected. Preliminary assessment of the damage to public and private property costs more than 200 billion (20 crores)… More than a thousand people are still out of contact… We are experiencing huge damage from the flash flood.”
The devastating flooding along Nepal’s Bhotekoshi River has damaged or disrupted 12 power projects, forcing 431.1 MW of electricity to be taken off the national grid, according to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).
NEA spokesperson Rajan Dhakal said 11 hydropower projects and one solar plant were affected. Six hydropower plants and the solar facility suffered direct physical damage, while electricity generated by other affected projects was disconnected from the grid as a precaution.
The affected facilities include the 111 MW Rasuwagadhi, 78 MW Salasungi (Sanjen), 14.8 MW Upper Sanjen, 42.5 MW Sanjen, 22 MW Chilime, 20 MW Langtang, 60 MW Upper Trisuli 3A, 14.8 MW Upper Mailung, 5 MW Mailung, 24 MW Trisuli and 14 MW Devighat hydropower projects, along with a 25 MW solar plant.
The flooding has also damaged parts of Nepal’s national transmission network, adding to the disruption caused by the disaster.
The Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to put proposed new hydropower projects in Sikkim on hold following the devastating flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border.
SIBLAC convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia also sought an independent, time-bound probe into existing and planned hydroelectric projects, citing the environmental and disaster risks posed by large-scale development in the ecologically fragile Himalayas.
The appeal comes after the Nepal floods caused widespread destruction, including damage to power infrastructure, reigniting concerns over the vulnerability of major projects in disaster-prone mountain regions.
India issued emergency helpline numbers for its citizens stranded or affected by devastating flash floods in neighbouring Nepal, where intense flooding in the northern region bordering China has claimed more than 150 lives.
The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu said Indian nationals seeking assistance or information could contact +977 985 131 6807 or +977 970 910 7500.
The Keralam government has set up a help desk under the aegis of NoRKA-Roots, the field agency of the Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NoRKA), to provide emergency assistance, services and information regarding Keralites stranded in Nepal following the flash floods in the Himalayan nation.
People seeking assistance can contact the NoRKA Global Contact Centre at 1800 425 3939 (toll-free) or +91 88020 12345 (missed call from abroad).
The CMO urged families unable to contact Malayalis travelling in Nepal to inform the Chief Minister’s Office at 9447111844 or 9747132147.
The West Bengal government has opened helplines at the state police headquarters in Kolkata to assist families seeking information about relatives who may have been affected in Nepal. Families can contact (033) 24793311 or 9147890181 for assistance.
The Maharashtra CMO said a 24-hour control room has been set up at the Mantralaya, which can be reached on the toll-free helpline 1070 or +91-9321587143. Citizens can also send email to controlroom@maharashtra.gov.in.
The Odisha government has set up a control room in New Delhi and issued helpline numbers to assist people from the state who may be stranded or in distress due to the devastating flash flood in Nepal, officials said. The helpline numbers are +91-7428135044, +91-8527580245 and 011-23012807, a government statement said.
The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) has released helpline numbers to assist residents whose family members may be stranded or affected by the flash floods in Nepal.
According to officials, apart from the SEOC numbers – 0135-2710334, 2710335, 2664314, 2664315, 2664316, and 8218867005 – people can also contact the toll-free number 1070.
The Chhattisgarh government has issued helpline numbers to assist citizens from the state who may be stranded in Nepal due to the flash floods, officials said.
Chhattisgarh residents can contact the disaster management helpline at 1070 or +91-771-2223471 for assistance and information, they said.
Forty-seven people from a group including two children are missing in Nepal following devastating flooding on the country's border with Tibet, their tour company told AFP on Thursday.
The group included 15 Australians, 10 Canadians, nine Nepalese, eight Americans, two Britons, two Singaporeans, and one Russian-American dual citizen, Himalayan Glacier managing director Sanket Pandey said.
"At this time they are still missing," he told AFP.
"Our team are checking hospitals where victims are coming in."
Chinese authorities said Thursday that 260 of the 558 people still missing after a mudslide at the border between Nepal and Tibet were foreign nationals, state media reported.
Preliminary statistics show that as of Thursday morning, "558 people remained missing (and) among them, 260 were foreign nationals", state broadcaster CCTV said, citing local officials speaking at a news briefing in Tibet.
Chinese authorities said three people died and 558 others were still missing after a mudslide at the border between Nepal and Tibet, state media reported Thursday, citing local officials.
"A press conference was held in Shigatse, Tibet, to report that two people have been successfully rescued from the Gyirong landslide disaster in Tibet," Xinhua news agency said.
The disaster has "resulted in three deaths and 558 people still missing", it added, doubling the missing person count from the 265 reported late Wednesday.
Nepal said that 468 tourists and travellers, including 393 foreigners, remained out of contact on Thursday, 24 hours after after a deadly flood tore through the border region with Tibet.
"About 468 tourists and travelers are out of contact, among them 75 are Nepalis," Suraj Ghimire, Department of Tourism spokesman, told AFP. At least 165 people have been confirmed killed, in both Nepal and in China, where a further 558 people are reported missing.
Flash flood in Nepal has claimed the lives of at least 95 people, while close to 400 are missing. The flood that hit early on Wednesday in Rasuwa, after water from Tibet surged through the Bhotekoshi River, overflowing into Nepal's Trishuli River and causing widespread flooding and extensive devastation to settlements along the river.
At least 157 people have been killed, and nearly 400 remain missing after devastating flash floods struck Nepal's Bhotekoshi river on Wednesday, with foreign nationals and security personnel among those unaccounted for. The mid-morning flash flood wreaked havoc across three districts, sweeping away people, homes, vehicles and critical infrastructure in one of Nepal's deadliest disasters in recent years. According to the Nepalese police post on X, at least 157 people have died in the devastating flash floods. The scary videos circulating from Nepal show massive multi-storey buildings, homes, and bridges being completely engulfed and destroyed by catastrophic flash floods and mudslides.
The devastating flash floods in Nepal’s Bhote Koshi River that swept through Nuwakot and Dhading districts on Wednesday triggered an alert in the neighbouring states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in India, where authorities intensified monitoring and precautionary measures. The Bhote Koshi River is a headwater tributary of the Kosi River system, which enters northern Bihar in Supaul after flowing through Nepal.
The United States has announced $500,000 in emergency assistance for Nepal after devastating flash floods and mudslides killed more than 165 people and left hundreds missing. The US State Department on Wednesday (Aug 26) expressed condolences to families affected by the disaster in Rasuwa district and said Washington would deploy a disaster response adviser to support rescue efforts.