Nepal-Tibet Flood Disaster: Death Toll Rises to 633 as Nearly 3,000 Remain Missing

The humanitarian crisis along the Nepal-Tibet border has deepened after the combined death toll from devastating flash floods and landslides rose to 633, while the number of people reported missing approached 3,000.

The latest figures released on Saturday show that 626 people have died in Nepal, while Chinese authorities have confirmed seven deaths in Tibet, bringing the combined toll to 633.

Authorities are also racing to locate thousands of people who remain unaccounted for. Nepal has reported 2,426 missing people, while China says 554 people are missing in Tibet, putting the combined number at 2,980.

The disaster struck on August 26, when a massive surge of water, mud, rock and debris swept through communities along the Himalayan border. The flooding devastated settlements, damaged roads and bridges and severely affected hydropower infrastructure.

Rescue teams have been working in extremely difficult conditions, with heavy mud, damaged roads and unstable terrain hampering efforts to reach isolated communities. Poor weather has also disrupted helicopter operations.

The number of missing people has risen sharply as authorities continue compiling lists of those who were in the affected areas when the flood struck.

Nepal’s disaster authorities say 933 hydropower workers are among those reported missing in the country. Many others include residents, tourists, trekkers and pilgrims travelling toward Tibet’s sacred Mount Kailash.

At least 777 foreign nationals are believed to be among those missing across Nepal and Tibet, according to figures reported by AFP.

The situation has been particularly difficult in Tibet, where access for foreign journalists is heavily restricted, leaving international observers largely dependent on information released by Chinese authorities.

More than 3,700 people have been rescued in Nepal, according to reports, while emergency teams continue searching for survivors and recovering bodies. In one of the most challenging operations, rescuers are attempting to reach people believed to be trapped inside a mud-filled hydropower tunnel.

China has also deployed rescue teams to affected areas in Tibet. Authorities have reported evacuating hundreds of stranded tourists and residents from some of the worst-hit locations.

The disaster has also raised concerns about further flooding and the stability of glacial lakes and debris blockages in the mountainous region.

Nepal’s government has requested international technical assistance for difficult rescue operations, communications, transport links and the identification of recovered bodies. Reuters reported that Nepal’s finance minister estimated the eventual rebuilding bill could reach $4 billion to $5 billion.

With search operations still underway and thousands of people unaccounted for, authorities have warned that both the death toll and missing-person figures could continue to change.