KATHMANDU, Aug 28: The death toll from the devastating flood along the Nepal–Tibet border has climbed to at least 392 as rescuers waded through mud and debris searching for more than 1,400 missing. Nepal Police said Thursday they had recovered 392 bodies from districts stretching from Rasuwa in the north to Chitwan on the Indian border.
According to the Police headquarters, they recovered 17 bodies from Rasuwa, 28 from Nuwakot, 33 from Dhading, 30 from Gorkha, 22 from Tanahun, 132 from Chitwan, 82 from Nawalparasi East and 15 from Nawalparasi West.
The disaster unfolded Wednesday when a glacial collapse unleashed a torrent of freezing water and mud, sweeping away villages, smashing bridges and dams, and crippling hydropower projects. Survivors described the scene as surreal and catastrophic, with entire settlements buried under sludge and vehicles overturned in unprecedented destruction.
Himalayan rescuers recover more bodies as flash flood death tol...
Hundreds of foreign nationals are among those missing, including Hindu pilgrims returning from Mount Kailash in Tibet. Nepal’s Tourism Board reported 517 foreign tourists out of contact, with the largest numbers from India, the United States, Malaysia, Australia, and Britain. Beijing confirmed at least 100 Chinese citizens missing in Nepal, while Chinese state media reported three deaths and 558 missing at Gyirong Port in Tibet.
Emergency teams, aided by Nepali soldiers and sniffer dogs, continued searching for survivors and victims on Thursday. Helicopters ferried the injured to Kathmandu hospitals, where 63 people are receiving treatment. Prime Minister Balendra Shah visited Nuwakot, urging immediate relief for displaced families and the reopening of blocked roads. China’s Premier Li Qiang also reportedly inspected affected areas, pledging full-scale rescue and relief operations.
The US Geological Survey confirmed the disaster was triggered by a glacial collapse, initially misinterpreted as a magnitude 4.4 earthquake. Climate experts warned that rising global temperatures are accelerating glacial melt, increasing the risk of similar collapses and glacial lake outbursts across the Himalayas.
Authorities cautioned that debris upstream continues to trap water, raising fears of a second flood. Nepal’s Flood Forecasting Division issued a special bulletin urging residents along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers to remain on high alert. “Extreme caution is advised for downstream communities, travellers, and rescue personnel,” the advisory said.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies along with India, China and the World Bnak announced emergency aid shipments, including blankets, stretchers, and medical supplies. Spiritual leaders such as the Dalai Lama, Pope Leo and India’s Sadhguru also offered prayers for victims, while governments worldwide pledged support for Nepal’s relief efforts.
