Nepal flash flood kills 98; 133 Indians among 800 missing
What's the story
A flash flood and mudslide along the Nepal-Tibet border destroyed villages and damaged roads and infrastructure on Wednesday, killing at least 98 people and leaving more than 800 missing. The flood occurred early Wednesday near Rasuwa district, just north of Kathmandu, and preliminary information suggests that it was caused by an earthquake that triggered an avalanche of melted snow into the Bhote Koshi river. Search operations are underway on both sides of the border.
Twitter Post
Nepal Police share video
भोटेकोसी नदी रसुवामा तिब्बत तर्फबाट ठुलो बाढी प्रवेश गरेकोले अर्को सूचना नआउँदासम्म त्रीशुली नदीको तटिय क्षेत्रका जिल्लाहरु नुवाकोट, धादिङ, चितवन, गोरखा लगायतका स्थानहरूमा उच्च सतर्कता सहित सुरक्षित स्थानमा रहन अनुरोध छ। pic.twitter.com/Zun6icZZCM
— Nepal Police (@NepalPoliceHQ) August 26, 2026
Missing
Indians missing
The flood surged through the Bhote Koshi River at around 9:00am affecting Rasuwa and Dhading districts bordering Tibet, officials said. It then spread to Dhading, Nuwakot and Chitawan districts.
Around 133 Indians are among the foreigners authorities are unable to get in touch with.
"A preliminary agency-wise record received from tourism and travel companies has identified 384 travelers, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali nationals, who were reported missing," said Nepal Tourism Board, as quoted by news agency AFP.
Warning
Missing Indians were pilgrims
Many of the missing Indians were pilgrims for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, PTI reported.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Nepal PM Balendra Shah and assured him that India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance and that teams are coordinating closely on rescue efforts.
Sources told ANI that the Indian Air Force has kept transport aircraft fleet, including the C-17, C-130J and C-295, on standby for relief operations in Nepal.
Flood history
China steps up viligance
The Nepal Army has dispatched helicopters and disaster response personnel to the impacted area, while Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for an all-out search for those missing in Tibet, as well as enhanced monitoring and early warning systems to prevent secondary disasters.
Chinese state media said three people have died and 265 are missing on their side of the border in Tibet's county of Gyirong.
The extent of the damage on the Tibetan side remains unclear.