2026 Nepal–Tibet floods

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Last edited August 27, 2026


2026 Nepal floods
Date26 August 2026 (2026-08-26)
Location
TypeFlash flood
CauseGlacier collapse or icefall (initial reports)
Deaths175+[lower-alpha 1]
Missing1,384+[lower-alpha 2]
Property damageHydropower facilities, houses, bridges, roads, dams, businesses, and government offices

On the morning of 26 August 2026, a series of flash floods along the Trishuli River[lower-alpha 3] struck dozens of settlements in Nepal's Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts. The floods also affected the Gyirong Port area on the China–Nepal border, an important gateway for cross-border trade and tourism. The flash floods and mudslides caused massive damage to populated areas, with officials reporting at least 162 confirmed deaths in Nepal and 3 in China. Authorities have issued flood warnings for communities along rivers in the Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, and Chitwan districts.

Background[edit | edit source]

Bhotekoshi River (left) and the Lhende Khola River (right); the Miteri border bridge is under construction (2013)

The Trishuli (also known on this stretch as Bhotekoshi) is joined by the Lhende Khola (also known as Lende River), which originates in Gyirong County, Tibet Autonomous Region, China, before flowing past Dhunche, downstream from which it forms part of the Trishuli River system.[2][3]

Cause[edit | edit source]

Authorities have not yet established a definite cause for the flood. Nepal's foreign minister Shisir Khanal said initial assessments determined that an earthquake triggered an avalanche which caused the flooding.[4] Nepalese officials initially believed the Lhende Khola may have been blocked by an avalanche in Nepal, forming a glacier lake. The trapped water would then have been released when the avalanche debris forming a dam collapsed, possibly due to an earthquake.[5][6] A glacial lake outburst flood may also have been involved.[5] A spokesperson for the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development said an avalanche occurred in the Lhende Khola River after an earthquake which caused the flood.[1]

The United States Geological Survey's analysis of long-period seismic waves demonstrated, however, that they were consistent with a landslide, not an earthquake.[7] This event measured Ms5.2, struck at 02:52 UTC (08:37 NPT; 10:52 CST), and was centered between Langtang Lirung and Langtang National Park.[8] Such was the cataclysmic scale and speed of the flash flood that the leading hypothesis of geomorphologists is that the collapsed portion of a glacier fell hundreds of feet, melting the ice by the sheer velocity of the impact, with the resulting initial flood causing water displacement downwards.[9]

There were indications of heavy water flow almost immediately after the seismic waves were detected. The combination of the two near-simultaneous signals, and review of the first satellite imagery, led researchers to conclude that an ice avalanche of a portion of a glacier measuring 2,000 feet (610 m) in width may have fallen 4,000 feet (1,200 m), and that it was this break some 40 miles (64 km) north of Kathmandu that may have been responsible for triggering the flooding.[10]

The GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences recorded a magnitude 4.4 event approximately seven minutes before timestamped CCTV footage showed the flood reaching the Gyirong Port.[11][12]

Casualties[edit | edit source]

CCTV footage showing floodwater destroying the Gyirong Port

At least 162 deaths were confirmed in Nepal, with 826 people reported missing.[1] 579 tourists were reported missing, including 466 foreigners from 28 countries.[13] At least 105 Indians and 37 non-resident Indians were reported missing.[14] Australia's foreign minister said at least 34 of the missing were pilgrims.[1] At least 55 Malaysians, 47 American, 34 Australian, 33 British, and 24 Canadian tourists were among the missing.[1][15][16] The South Korean Foreign Ministry reported nine citizens working at a hydropower plant construction site went missing.[17] Tourists from South Africa, Japan, and the Netherlands were also reported missing.[14][15] At least 26 police officers, 9 Armed Police Force personnel, 44 Nepal Army personnel, customs and immigration personnel were reported missing.[18]

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported 3 fatalities and 558 others missing in Tibet Autonomous Region, including 260 foreigners.[1][19][20]

Damage[edit | edit source]

Satellite imagery of the aftermath of the flooding from Landsat 9

Floodwaters reached settlements as high as 270 feet (80 m) above the river level.[21] In Nuwakot, floodwater entered areas including Timure, Dhunche, Mailung, Syafrubesi, Betrawati, Trishuli, and Devighat.[21][22] Local officials said that property damage was extensive; assessments were continuing.[22] Director of the Roads Department Bijaya Jaishi reported an initial estimate of 15 billion rupees in road and bridge infrastructure had been damaged.[23] He stated that 19 bridges and 40 kilometers of roads had been damaged.[23]

In Nepal, residential areas and infrastructure, including roads, sustained extensive damage.[19] The Rasuwagadhi customs office was destroyed.[21] A bridge connected to Trishuli Bazaar was swept away.[24] On the Chinese side, road access, communications and electricity supply to the Gyirong Port area were cut off by the flood.[25][15] The border crossing was reported as being "completely destroyed".[15] A road connecting Syafrubesi and Rasuwagadhi, which was under reconstruction after damage from flooding in 2025, was further damaged.[23]

Damage to electricity generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure disrupted supplies in affected areas. The Nepal Electricity Authority said that six major hydropower and transmission facilities had been damaged. These included Rasuwagadhi, Chilime, Trishuli 3A, the Trishuli 3B Hub 220 kV substation, Trishuli Hydropower Station, and Devighat Hydropower Station.[26]

Response[edit | edit source]

The Government of Nepal mobilised the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and the Nepal Police, supported by helicopters and medical teams, to conduct search, rescue, and relief operations.[27][28] The Nepal Army reported that at least 88 people had been rescued.[24] Following the flooding, the Nepal Roads Department began installing bailey bridges to replace collapsed bridges.[23]

CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping called for continued efforts to locate missing people and improvements to disaster monitoring and warning systems.[29][30] The government of Tibet Autonomous Region mobilized nearly 800 emergency workers and 150 vehicles as well as sniffer dogs and speed boats to help the rescue efforts.[31]

The International Charter on Space and Major Disasters, which provides for widespread albeit contingent humanitarian satellite coverage, was activated.[32]

The United States State Department stated that it would send a disaster response advisor and provide $500,000 in assistance.[15] UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres stated that United Nations teams and partners were sending supplies and personnel to support the the Nepal government-led response.[24][15] Indian minister of external affairs S. Jaishankar reported that India had sent ten tonnes of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies on 26 August.[33]

See also[edit | edit source]

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑
    • 165 in Nepal
    • 3 in China[1]
  2. ↑
    • 826 in Nepal
    • 558 in China[1]
  3. ↑ The Trishuli River's upper section in Nepal is also known as the Bhotekoshi River; a larger river 65 km to the east, also named Bhotekoshi, was unaffected.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "More than 1,300 are missing in Nepal and Tibet after catastrophic floods caused by glacial collapse". Associated Press. 26 August 2026. Archived from the original on 27 August 2026. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  2. ↑ "रसुवामा भीषण बाढी, मुग्लिङसम्म सतर्कता" [Heavy flood in Rasuwa, alert up to Muglin] (in नेपाली). BBC. 26 August 2026. Archived from the original on 27 August 2026. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  3. ↑ "Tourist board says 33 UK nationals missing after Nepal-Tibet flash floods". www.bbc.com. 27 August 2026. Archived from the original on 27 August 2026. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
  4. ↑ "Flash flood hits Rasuwa, damages hydropower projects and markets". The Kathmandu Post. 26 August 2026. Archived from the original on 27 August 2026. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Ice avalanche, debris lake may have triggered Bhotekoshi flood". The Kathmandu Post. 26 August 2026. Archived from the original on 27 August 2026. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  6. ↑ "What triggered the catastrophic flood on the Nepal-Tibet border?". Reuters. 26 August 2026. Archived from the original on 27 August 2026. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  7. ↑ "Nepal flash floods: Increasing death toll, many missing; rescuers search for survivors – Live Updates". The Hindu. 27 August 2026. Archived from the original on 27 August 2026. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
  8. ↑ Template:Cite anss
  9. ↑ Lahiri, Tripti; Pokharel, Krishna (26 August 2026). "Hundreds Missing, 157 Dead, as Likely Ice-Rock Cascade Triggers Floods in Nepal and Tibet". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 27 August 2026.
  10. ↑ Sands, Leo (26 August 2026). "Deadly Nepal Flood May Have Been Caused by 'Ice Avalanche,' Scientists Say". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 27 August 2026. Retrieved 26 August 2026. The deadly flooding in Nepal on Wednesday was likely set off at least in part by an enormous chunk of ice snapping off a glacier and cascading thousands of feet to the valley below, according to an initial assessment by a group of geologists and glaciologists. The phenomenon is known as an ice avalanche.... On Wednesday, a chunk of ice with a width of about 2,000 feet snapped cleanly off the glacier, Dr. Shugar said, sending a mixture of ice and water to the valley floor. By his assessment, the chunk of ice fell from an altitude of around 17,000 feet, dropping almost 4,000 feet.
  11. ↑ "Hunderte Einheimische und Touristen nach Sturzflut in Nepal vermisst" [Hundreds of Locals and Tourists Missing After Flash Flood in Nepal]. Der Spiegel (in Deutsch). 26 August 2026. ISSN 2195-1349. Archived from the original on 27 August 2026. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
  12. ↑ Corp, Pelmorex (26 August 2026). "Devastating flash flood on Nepal-Tibet border kills nine, hundreds of tourists missing". The Weather Network. Retrieved 27 August 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ↑ "Girl, 13, among dozens of Britons missing in Nepal flash floods". The Daily Telegraph. 26 August 2026. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Nepal flash flood from Tibet leaves 17 dead, 105 Indians missing". India Today. 26 August 2026. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 Sharma, Gopal; Bajracharya, Sahana; Chitrakar, Navesh (26 August 2026). "Rescuers search for survivors after devastating Nepal flood". Reuters. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
  16. ↑ "Anthony Albanese says 34 Australians among hundreds of people missing in deadly Nepal flash floods". The Guardian. 27 August 2026. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
  17. ↑ Oh, Seok-min (27 August 2026). "(LEAD) Gov't sends emergency response team to Nepal over 9 missing S. Koreans after massive floods". Yonhap News. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
  18. ↑ "'राष्ट्रिय विपद्को अवस्था' : सरकारले रसुवा बाढीबारे के-के भनेको छ?" [The affected district will be declared a disaster area for three months, latest details of damage in Rasuwa floods]. BBC News नेपाली (in नेपाली). 26 August 2026. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Sharma, Gopal (26 August 2026). "Nepal flash flood kills eight; damages roads, power projects". Reuters. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  20. ↑ 受尼泊爾泥石流波及 西藏3死265人失聯 [Three Dead and 265 Missing in Tibet Following Nepal Mudslides]. am730 (in 中文). 26 August 2026. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Prasai, Kamal; Gautam, Dinesh (26 August 2026). "Rasuwa flood leaves trail of destruction from Rasuwagadhi to Bidur". Online Khabar. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Flood Damages Property in Nuwakot Due to Rasuwa Border Overflow". Ratopati. 26 August 2026. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 "रसुवा बाढी : सडक र पुलमा रु १५ अर्बभन्दा बढीको क्षति भएको प्रारम्भिक आकलन" [Initial assessment: Floods cause over Rs 15 billion in damage to roads and bridges]. BBC News नेपाली (in नेपाली). 26 August 2026. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 Dahal, Phanindra; Bicker, Laura (26 August 2026). "Hundreds missing and 98 dead as flash flood hits Nepal-Tibet border". BBC News. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  25. ↑ 西藏多方力量赶赴吉隆口岸救援 [Rescue Teams from Various Sectors in Tibet Rush to the Gyirong Port for Rescue Operations] (in 中文). Xinhua. 26 August 2026. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  26. ↑ "Rasuwa flood damages 6 major hydropower, transmission facilities, disrupts power supply". Nepal News. Kathmandu. 26 August 2026. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  27. ↑ "Flood leaves parts of Rasuwa and Nuwakot cut off". OnlineKhabar. 26 August 2026. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  28. ↑ "Rasuwa flashflood: NA teams, two choppers deployed for search, rescue". The Rising Nepal. 26 August 2026. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  29. ↑ 习近平对西藏日喀则市吉隆县遭受泥石流灾害作出重要指示 [Xi Jinping Issues Important Instructions Regarding the Mudslide Disaster in Jilong County, Shigatse City, Tibet]. Xinhua News Agency (in 中文（中国大陆）). 26 August 2026. Retrieved 26 August 2026. Following the disaster, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee attached great importance to the situation and issued important instructions...
  30. ↑ "Hundreds missing and many feared dead after massive flash flood hits Nepal-China border". CNN. 26 August 2026. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  31. ↑ "Search for missing after Nepal-Tibet floods kill 165". France 24. 26 August 2026. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
  32. ↑ "Flood in Nepal - Charter Activations | The International Charter: Space And Major Disasters". disasterscharter.org.
  33. ↑ "India sends humanitarian aid, essential medicines to Nepal after flash floods". India Today. 26 August 2026. Retrieved 27 August 2026.

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