Nepal flash floods latest: Death toll hits 95 with 33 UK nationals missing after deadly surge

WorldEnvironment
26 Aug 2026 • 11:22 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Nepal flash floods latest: Death toll hits 95 with 33 UK nationals missing after deadly surge

At least 95 people have been killed and hundreds of foreign tourists remain missing after flash floods tore through villages on the border between Nepal and the Tibet region, according to Reuters.

Thirty-three British tourists are believed to be among those missing including a 13-year-old girl. Nepal’s tourism board said that 403 people are missing in total including 341 foreign nationals from 26 different countries.

Dramatic video footage showed a wall of water crashing through river banks, bringing down bridges, homes and other infrastructure in villages along the Bhotekoshi River.

Officials issued warnings to residents of several of Nepal’s districts and asked them to stay away from the banks of Bhotekoshi, Trishuli and Narayani rivers.

The Nepalese authorities said 384 tourists, including 291 from countries including India, the United States, the United Kingdom and Malaysia, were reported missing as a result of the flash floods.

Eight South ​Koreans working on a hydropower plant were also missing, and 10 others were stranded, following the massive ⁠flash flood, according to South Korea's Foreign Ministry.

The Indian government issued emergency contact numbers for its embassy in Nepal, asking its citizens caught up in the disaster to get in touch.

Key Points

  • 95 killed after avalanche triggers flash floods in Nepal
  • 13-year-old girl among 33 missing Brits
  • Nepal flash floods triggered by earthquake, says minister
  • In pics: Flash floods cause widespread destruction
  • South Korea to send rescue team for missing citizens missing

A timeline of deadly Himalayan disasters as Nepal floods kill dozens

17:20 , Maira Butt

At least 95 people were killed on Wednesday when a severe flash flood struck Himalayan border regions across Nepal and neighbouring Tibet.

The torrent destroyed villages, power facilities, roads and bridges, with local officials fearing that casualties will rise.

Below are several major Himalayan disasters over the past 12 years, which some analysts have linked to climate change and rapid development in the region.

Image from: Nepal flash floods latest: Death toll hits 95 with 33 UK nationals missing after deadly surge

A timeline of deadly Himalayan disasters as Nepal floods kill dozens

Red Cross releases over £900k to support local rescue efforts

17:05 , James Reynolds

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is releasing more than £900,000 in emergency funding to support the response to the flash floods in Nepal.

The IFRC said in a statement shared with The Independent on Wednesday that the funding, worth one million Swiss Francs, would help the Nepal Red Cross respond to urgent needs while teams assess the scale of the destruction and identify communities in need.

“The priority now is to reach affected communities and get assistance to people who have lost their homes, suffered injuries or have been cut off,” said the IFRC head of delegation for Nepal, David Fisher.

Houses and vehicles damaged after the flash floods from the river Rishuli in the district of Nuwakot, Nepal, on Wednesday (AP)

“The release of emergency funding means the Nepal Red Cross can act immediately while assessments continue. We are closely monitoring the situation and are ready to provide additional support if needs increase.

“We will not forget support for their long-term recovery either, since entire villages and market areas have been wiped out”.

What caused the devastating Nepal flash floods on the Tibet border?

16:50 , Maira Butt

Police confirmed that the bodies of at least 22 victims have been recovered following the disaster.

Dramatic footage captured a torrent of water breaking riverbanks, destroying bridges, houses and infrastructure across communities situated beside the Bhotekoshi River.

Image from: Nepal flash floods latest: Death toll hits 95 with 33 UK nationals missing after deadly surge

What caused the devastating Nepal flash floods on the Tibet border?

In pictures: Homes left in ruin following flash floods in Nepal

16:40 , James Reynolds People stand near mud covered houses and a road, following a flash flood at Trishuli (Reuters)A mud-covered building following a flash flood at Trishuli in Nuwakot district, Nepal (Reuters)Houses lie partially submerged in muddy water along a riverside after flash floods at Trishuli Bazar (AFP/Getty)

Over 50 pilgrims stranded after floods

16:20 , Maira Butt

Officials have said that more than 50 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu have been stranded after a flash flood at the China-Nepal border on Wednesday.

They were travelling from Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, and Mayiladuthurai districts and had been travelling in three cars, according to the Hindustan Times.

China says at least 3 dead, 265 missing, in mudslide in Tibet's Gyirong

16:19 , James Reynolds

At least three people have died, with 265 others missing, following a mudslide in Tibet's Gyirong on Wednesday, China's state broadcaster CCTV said, citing authorities' preliminary tally.

The exact number of casualties is still being verified, CCTV said. These are the first casualty figures provided for the Chinese side of the border.

UK foreign office releases statement following floods

15:48 , Maira Butt

Britain’s foreign office has released a statement in the aftermath of devastating flash floods with reports that 33 British people are missing including a 13-year-old girl.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by the floods in Nepal,” it said in a statement on X on Wednesday.

“British nationals in Nepal should follow local authority advice and exercise caution while travelling.”

13-year-old girl among missing Brits

15:30 , Maira Butt

A 13-year-old girl is among the 12 British people missing following flash floods on Wednesday, according to logs shared with PA.

The age of the citizens ranges from 13 to 65, according to the logs.

At least 403 missing including 341 foreign nationals, says Nepal's tourism board

15:25 , Maira Butt

Nepal’s tourism board has said that at least 403 people are missing following flash floods, including 341 foreign nationals from 26 different countries.

Death toll rises to 95, says Nepal tourism board

15:14 , Maira Butt

At least 95 people have been killed in flash floods that have hit the border between China and Nepal, Reuters has reported on Wednesday citing police.

PM Modi offers 'humanitarian assistance' to Nepal

14:50 , Maira Butt

India’s prime minister Narendra Modi has offered his condolences and support following devastating flash floods on Wednesday.

“Spoke to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods in Nepal. The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time,” he wrote on X.

He also offered “all possible humanitarian assistance” possible.

India begins evacuation in six districts

14:20 , Maira Butt

India’s Bihar state has begun evacuating people from six districts due to fear over floods, according to an Indian official.

What triggered the catastrophic flood on the Nepal-Tibet border?

13:59 , Maira Butt

Torrential floods swallowed roads, bridges, houses, and power projects in the border areas of Nepal, and triggered a mudslide that hit Gyirong Port, a major land crossing with neighbouring Tibet, cutting roads, communications, and power links to the area.

Dozens of people have also been injured.

It is suspected that an earthquake struck the region and triggered an ice-rock avalanche on the Lhende Khola river in Nepal, causing the floods.

The river runs through both Nepal and Tibet.

Twenty-two bodies recovered after Nepal-Tibet flash flood, police say

13:36 , Maira Butt

A total of 22 bodies have been recovered after torrential flooding in the Himalayan border areas of Nepal and Tibet, a police official said on Wednesday.

Nepal flash floods carry away bridge in seconds as at least 17 killed

13:10 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Torrential floods in the Himalayan border areas of Nepal ⁠and China's Tibet killed at least 17 people and destroyed roads, bridges, and power projects on Wednesday, according to reports.

Authorities in both countries braced for more casualties and worse damage.

More here.

Image from: Nepal flash floods latest: Death toll hits 95 with 33 UK nationals missing after deadly surge

Nepal flash floods carry away bridge in seconds as at least 17 killed

Xi Jinping calls for all-out rescue effort in Tibet

13:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Chinese president Xi Jinping has called for an all-out search and rescue effort in Tibet following the flash flood at the Nepal-Tibet border.

Chinese state media has warned of "major casualties", although numbers were not immediately clear.CCTV footage showed Gyirong port in Tibet being hit by a mudslide.

Nepal seeks India and China's help in rescue efforts

12:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Nepal has now reached out to India and China to help with rescue efforts as the death toll from today's flood continues to rise.

"We have asked both India and China to help us with the rescue efforts," said Sasmit Pokharel, a spokesperson for the Nepali government.

Watch: Nepal bridge collapses in powerful flash floods

12:31 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

17 killed after avalanche triggers flash floods in Nepal

12:31 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

At least 17 people were killed after an avalanche triggered a massive flash flood that swept through part of Nepal this afternoon.

The Nepal police confirmed to the BBC that 17 bodies have been discovered in various districts following the floods.

The Bhotekoshi River flooded around 9am local time, destroying several villages as well as roads and hydropower projects, officials said. They issued warnings to residents of several of Nepal's districts and asked them to stay away from the banks of Bhotekoshi, Trishuli and Narayani rivers.

"We have asked both India and China to help us with the rescue efforts," said Sasmit Pokharel, a spokesperson for the Nepali government.

Nepal flash floods triggered by earthquake, says minister

12:28 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Nepal's devastating flash floods were triggered by an earthquake that hit the Nepal-Tibet border region around 8.30am local time, said foreign minister Shishir Khanal.

Khanal told the parliament that the earthquake then triggered an avalanche, which in turn resulted in flash floods.

He said that, along with Nepal, the Chinese region of Tibet was experiencing "huge damage".

Lhende Khola River witnesses maximum flooding

12:23 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Of the rivers affected, the Lhende Khola – a tributary of the Bhotekoshi River – witnessed the most flooding, Nepali government officials said.

"The Lhende Khola has flooded twice in fourteen months, this time triggered by an ice rock avalanche from a glacier on the Nepal side that blocked the river and released a sudden surge downstream," said Saswata Sanyal, a disaster risk reduction specialist at the climate research group."

In a warming Himalaya, early warning is the first line of adaptation," he added.

The Himalayan region, which crosses Nepal and several nearby countries including India, is especially vulnerable to heavy rains, floods and landslides because the area is warming up faster than the rest of the world due to human-caused climate change.

Eight killed and 100 missing as flash flood sweeps Nepal

12:23 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

South Korea to send rescue team as eight citizens missing in Nepal floods

12:21 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Eight South ​Koreans working on a hydropower plant were missing, and 10 others were stranded, following a massive ⁠flash flood along the Nepal-Tibet border, according to Yonhap News Agency.

The workers were employed ⁠by Korea Energy ​and ⁠Doosan Enerbility Co, the report said, adding that Nepal has deployed ⁠a rescue team to search the ​affected ⁠area.

Another 10 South ‌Korean workers affiliated with Doosan Enerbility are stranded in the area and ‌awaiting a helicopter sent by ‌Nepalese authorities to evacuate them, it said.

Seoul said it has established a task force ⁠led by the foreign minister and plans to send a joint rapid-response team comprising government officials and fire and police authorities to Nepal as soon as possible.

12 UK nationals among hundreds missing in Nepal floods

12:19 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

At least 384 tourists, including 291 from countries including India, the US, the UK, South Korea, Australia and Malaysia, were reported missing during the flash floods in the Bhotekoshi River along the Nepal-Tibet border.

Among the missing were 12 British nationals, according to officials.

An avalanche of ice and rock triggered massive flash floods that swept through parts of Nepal, killing at least eight people and causing widespread damage to villages and infrastructure.

The Nepal Tourism Board, in a post on X, said it was "working to verify" the whereabouts and safety status of those travelling through the region.

Eight killed after avalanche triggers flash floods in Nepal

12:17 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

At least eight people were killed after an avalanche triggered a massive flash flood that swept through part of Nepal this afternoon.

The Bhotekoshi River flooded around 9am local time, destroying several villages as well as roads and hydropower projects, officials said. They issued warnings to residents of several of Nepal's districts and asked them to stay away from the banks of Bhotekoshi, Trishuli and Narayani rivers.

"We have asked both India and China to help us with the rescue efforts," said Sasmit Pokharel, a spokesperson for the Nepali government.

Newswav Malaysia Best News App

Newswav is an online content aggregator and obtains its content from different online sources. The content in the app do not belong to Newswav nor do they reflect the opinions of Newswav and its staff. Your use of this app indicates your understanding and acceptance of this information.

Newswav Sdn. Bhd. (201701008480 (1222645-M)) 2026 All Rights Reserved