The death toll from catastrophic flash floods and mudslides across northern and central Nepal has climbed to 1,400, with nearly 5,845 people still reported missing.
The disaster, triggered on August 26 by a massive ice-rock avalanche along the Nepal-Tibet border, devastated towns, villages, and critical hydropower infrastructure along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers. Across the border in neighboring Tibet, Chinese authorities reported at least 43 fatalities and over 500 people missing.
Over 21,000 security personnel—including teams from the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force—have been deployed alongside international technical squads to lead ongoing search and rescue efforts.
Specialized teams are attempting to access buried powerhouses and tunnels, including the Chilime, Upper Trishuli-1, and Trishuli 3A hydropower projects, where hundreds of workers remain unaccounted for.
DNA sampling and forensic identification processes are underway, as fast-flowing floodwaters carried many victims downstream into neighboring districts and toward Northern India.
The Nepalese government observed a national day of mourning, flying flags at half-mast to honor the victims as Prime Minister Balendra Shah renewed calls for international aid and highlighted climate change risks in the Himalayan region.
