Flash floods kill at least 95 in Nepal; hundreds still missing

A wall of water and mud has bulldozed its way through villages along the Nepal-Tibet border, leaving dozens dead and hundreds missing. This is the harrowing reality of the flash floods that overwhelmed the Bhote Koshi River this morning. The river surged with terrifying speed, swallowing trees and homes built just feet from the bank before careening down a bend. Huge clouds of spray engulfed humble settlements while thick sludge crept across fields where people tried to flee for their lives.

At least 95 people are confirmed dead in Nepal following this natural disaster. The toll could rise sharply as search teams get underway, with fears that more bodies will be found under the debris. Dozens of tourists and trekkers remain unaccounted for among a total of 341 foreign nationals missing. This group includes 300 foreigners, specifically 33 Britons, 47 Americans, 12 people from the UK including a thirteen-year-old girl, 105 Indians, four South Africans, seventeen Malaysians, and three others from the United States. At least 93 Nepali citizens are also missing.

The disaster began when a 4.4-magnitude earthquake triggered an ice avalanche high up in the mountains. This avalanche blocked the Lhende river, causing water to build up behind the obstruction before bursting downstream with devastating consequences. Officials in China-controlled Tibet fear major casualties in the Gyirong county after a mudslide hit the land crossing between neighbors this morning. Footage shows the Gyirong Port land crossing being ripped apart by floodwaters and dragged straight down the river channel. Dozens of people ran away in terror seconds before the water crashed into the structure and wiped it out entirely.

Entire buildings became submerged by huge waves of floodwater and mud, effectively decimating the settlements. A main road running through a small town was soon covered as the ominous sludge rapidly crept across fields on the other side. Towns now show thick layers of mud covering roads and buildings. Mounds of debris jut out from the silt while vehicles sit entirely submerged in the murky water. This scene represents just one example of total annihilation happening across the region right now.

Houses sit partially underwater in thick mud along a riverside at Trishuli Bazar in Nepal's Nuwakot district on August 26, 2026. Satellite imagery captures the valley near the Nepal-China border showing the stark shift from before the deluge on August 25 to after on August 26. A home lies completely covered in sludge at Devghat while another structure suffers similar fate along that same riverside. The aftermath of massive flash floods and mudslides near the Nepal-China border paints a grim picture across Nepal on August 26, 2026.

One traveler from Australia remains unaccounted for. Another person from the Netherlands is also missing. The nationalities of nearly 100 more people have not yet been established. An additional 37 people are believed to be non-resident Indians living in Nepal. Sunil Sharma, a spokesperson for the Nepal Tourism Board, stated that the 133 missing were from India on pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in China's autonomous region of Tibet, a sacred site for Hindus. Alpine Eco Trek confirmed that 12 British nationals on its tour across the Nepal-Tibet border were missing on Wednesday. Ram Kumar Adhikari, the manager of Alpine Eco Trek, said two Irish nationals and four South African nationals who were also on the excursion are believed to be missing. Mr Kumar Adhikari noted there was not much info to share at the moment but confirmed they have 12 British citizens supposed to make entry this morning.

South Korea reported that eight of its citizens were unaccounted for, while an additional 12 were stranded following the deadly floods. There are fears a second flood may send Nepal, Tibet and neighbouring India into further chaos. Flood alerts were issued in the populous northern Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar as they border Nepal and several rivers flow down the mountains into their plains. The UK's Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Baroness Winterton said following the disaster: Heartbreaking to see the loss and damage caused by the Rasuwa flood in Nepal. Sending our thoughts to all those affected by the disaster. We are working closely with the Nepalese authorities following concerning reports of British nationals who are missing. We encourage British nationals in Nepal to follow guidance from the local authorities and remain alert to the changing situation. Earlier today, the British embassy in Kathmandu said the UK was deeply saddened by the devastating flood which hit Rasuwa and other parts of Nepal this morning. Their thoughts are with all those caught up in this disaster. They added: We urge British Nationals in Nepal to follow official guidance and exercise caution in the affected areas.