At least 17 people have died and nearly 400 others remain unaccounted for following a flash flood and mudslide along the Nepal-Tibet border in Rasuwa, an area just north of Nepal's capital, Kathmandu. The disaster, which struck early on Wednesday, August 26th, 2026, reportedly washed away villages and damaged roads and infrastructure.

Preliminary information suggests the flood was triggered by an earthquake at 08:37 local time that caused an avalanche, with melted snow pouring into the Bhote Koshi river. Search operations are underway on both sides of the border, with 12 people rescued so far.

The Nepal tourism board is working to locate 291 tourists and 93 Nepalese nationals, including guides, who were known to be in the affected area. Among the tourists are 12 from the UK, as well as Americans, Malaysians, South Africans, and Indians.

The extent of damage on the Tibetan side remains unclear. Guan Daoxuan, speaking from Sichuan province, reported losing contact with his wife after the flood.

Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah stated on social media that necessary steps are being taken in coordination with medical teams, scouts, and the Red Cross following an emergency meeting. State media in China, which controls Tibet, reported significant casualties, and Nepalese officials anticipate a "huge scale loss."

This region experienced deadly flooding last year as well, when 18 people died after a glacier burst on the Chinese side of the border.

Notable Quotes

  • "Our logistics company has seven container trucks there, all staffed by Nepalese employees. We have lost contact with all of them. There is no signal, so we cannot reach anyone," said a Nepalese source.
  • "As far as I know, there was no warning. There were occasional mudslides and landslides, especially in the rainy season, but this one seems much more serious."
  • "Work has started to take necessary steps in co-ordination with the medical team, scouts, and Red Cross," Prime Minister Balendra Shah said.

Sources