At least 22 dead, hundreds missing after Nepal–Tibet border floods
Flash floods and a mudslide along the Nepal–Tibet border have killed at least 22 people, left hundreds missing and damaged homes, roads, bridges and hydropower facilities.
In short
- Flash floods and a mudslide along the Nepal–Tibet border have killed at least 22 people, left hundreds missing and damaged homes, roads, bridges and hydropower facilities.
At least 22 people have died and hundreds are missing after torrential flooding struck Himalayan border areas in Nepal and Tibet on 26 August 2026, according to reports carried by The Guardian and Al Jazeera.
In Nepal, floodwaters swept away houses, roads, bridges and power projects in Rasuwa district. Officials said 384 tourists, including 291 foreign nationals, were reported missing. Rescue helicopters were initially unable to land in the badly affected Syapru Besi and Timure areas because of the conditions.
A mudslide also hit the Gyirong border crossing in Tibet, cutting roads, communications and power links. Chinese officials warned of potentially major casualties and President Xi Jinping ordered an expanded search for missing people.
Nepal’s energy ministry said 430 megawatts of electricity supply had been affected, largely at hydropower projects. The cause of the flooding was not immediately clear. Authorities urged communities along the Bhote Koshi River to move to higher ground while police and military teams joined rescue operations.
