Search efforts are ongoing for thousands still missing following a devastating flash flood that struck Nepal and Tibet on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.

According to Nepal Police, the death toll on the Nepal side has reached 389, with an additional three deaths reported in Tibet, bringing the total fatalities to 392. Furthermore, 466 people have been reported injured in Nepal.

Among those missing are 35 Australians, though there has been no recent update on their status.

The disaster has resulted in the formation of two barrier lakes—one in Nepal and one in China. Officials from both countries have expressed concern that these lakes may continue to fill and overflow, potentially causing a second debris flow along the same river and affecting the already impacted communities.

Chinese authorities have warned that approximately 3 million cubic metres of water are expected to flow into an already dammed lake on their side of the border within the next three days. Additional rainfall is also forecast, as reported by Chinese state media and shown by Chinese state broadcaster Xinhua as of Thursday, August 27, 2026.

The situation remains critical as authorities monitor the risk of further flooding.

Sources