Authorities are working to verify a list of hundreds of people unaccounted for after flash floods and landslides struck the Nepal-Tibet border region on Wednesday.
Key facts
- •The provisional list of missing persons released by the tourism board includes 391 foreigners and 93 Nepalis.
- •Communications and power supplies remain cut in the Rasuwa district, which is home to approximately 50,000 people.
- •A magnitude 4.4 earthquake was recorded in the region at 8:37 local time on the day of the flooding.
- •State media in China reported casualties and missing persons in Gyirong county, with 601 rescue workers deployed.
- •A previous flood on the same river in July 2025 resulted in at least eleven deaths and the destruction of a border bridge.
Twelve British citizens are among those currently unaccounted for following flash floods and landslides that hit the border corridor between Nepal and Tibet on Wednesday. Nepali authorities have compiled a provisional list of hundreds of missing individuals, including nationals from India, the United States, Australia, and the Netherlands, alongside local residents. Officials emphasize that the register is unverified and that communication disruptions in the affected area are hindering efforts to confirm the status of those listed.
By the numbers
Scope of the disaster
The flooding primarily impacted the Rasuwa district, specifically the settlements of Timure and Syabrubesi, before moving south toward the Nuwakot district along the Trishuli River. Rescue operations have faced significant challenges, including the inability of helicopters to land in the hardest-hit areas. Beyond travelers, numerous police, military personnel, customs employees, and hydroelectric plant workers remain out of contact.
Disputed origins and impact
The cause of the disaster remains under investigation, with conflicting reports from Chinese and Nepali authorities regarding the origin of the water and mud. Potential factors being explored include a magnitude 4.4 earthquake, a possible glacial lake outburst, or an avalanche. The event has caused significant infrastructure damage, with the energy ministry reporting that 430 megawatts of hydroelectric generating capacity—over 12% of the national total—has been affected.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by MercoPress.
