{"id":61693,"date":"2026-08-27T17:05:42","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T21:05:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/what-we-know-about-deadly-nepal-tibet-floods\/27\/08\/2026\/"},"modified":"2026-08-27T17:05:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T21:05:42","slug":"what-we-know-about-deadly-nepal-tibet-floods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/what-we-know-about-deadly-nepal-tibet-floods\/27\/08\/2026\/","title":{"rendered":"What we know about deadly Nepal-Tibet floods"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\" data-body-type=\"bodyblocks\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Video shows scale of flash flood hitting Nepal-Tibet border<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Massive landslides and flash floods on the Nepal-Tibet border have caused widespread damage and left hundreds dead or missing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Search and rescue operations are continuing after Wednesday&#8217;s disaster. Chinese state media has said there are significant casualties, while Nepalese officials describe &#8220;huge scale loss&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">There are risks of more floods: a lake of rising water has formed at a site along the China-Nepal border &#8211; prompting fears it could burst its banks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Here is what we know so far.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<div style=\"max-height:none;overflow:visible\"><span class=\"[&amp;_p]:inline\"><\/p>\n<p>Military teams were brought in to help with rescue and evacuation following the flooding on Wednesday [Nepal Army via EPA]<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">What caused the deadly landslide?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Initial reports of an earthquake on the Nepal-Tibet border led many to believe that a tremor had caused a landslide, which in turn caused the devastating flood.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">However, the US Geological Survey has clarified that the disaster was caused by a &#8220;glacial collapse&#8221;, which is when a glacier or part of a glacier disintegrates.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The impact of the collapsed glacier hitting the bottom of a valley was so powerful that it registered a magnitude of 5.2, according to USGS data and scientists who have analysed the event.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Debris flow from the collapse &#8220;caused subsequent catastrophic impacts downstream&#8221; the USGS said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Map showing the path of floodwaters along the Lende Khola, Bhote Koshi and  Trishuli rivers in northern Nepal after a glacier collapse near the Tibet border. The collapse sent ice and rock debris into the river, triggering flooding that destroyed a border checkpoint and continued downstream past Syrapu Besi. An inset map locates the affected area north of Kathmandu.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"1094\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/lo\/mysterio\/api\/a6304d3c1db4911bf69ac4a937c9b5c750f21e5076743479a5034b882edc21a8\/lightyear_networkapi\/resizefill_w960%3Bquality_80%3Bformat_webp\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen%2Fbbc_us_articles_995%2Ff99ec1ea742da384125be887f22d65b2.jpg\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\"\/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Climate change is known to be driving faster glacier melt in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region and, as rescue efforts continue, scientists are trying to piece together the exact order of events.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Simon Cook, senior lecturer in energy environment and security at the University of Dundee who specialises in glaciology, said &#8220;climate change could have an impact&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Cook said his team had detected that the lower part of a glacier in Nepal near the Langtang Lirung peak &#8211; which is approximately 15km (9 miles) west of the site of the floods &#8211; had collapsed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">He estimated that the glacier collapsed in a <strong>north-westerly<\/strong> direction and then travelled westwards downstream.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">He told the BBC &#8220;permafrost is partially holding some mountainsides together, this permafrost is warming and thawing and degrading so you are going to get more landslides&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Mike Searle, professor of Earth sciences at Oxford University, said the glacier could have collapsed &#8220;hours or days&#8221; before the flooding hit Nepal and Tibet.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">He told the BBC: &#8220;I think the sheer wave of debris suggests there was a landslide first, the water built up, (which) dammed the river, and then it burst in one huge great flood.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">One possibility is that water from rainfall or melting ice may have destabilised the ground or ice, triggering a chain reaction.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Scientist will be looking at satellite images of exactly where the landslide occurred, whether any glacial lakes suddenly drained, and where the river might have become blocked, as well as data on recent rainfall.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">A deluge of material careered towards northern Nepalese towns, including areas popular with mountaineering tourists and pilgrims. The border is around 40 miles (64.4km) north of Nepal&#8217;s capital city Kathmandu.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Footage showed a wall of mud and rock sweeping away buildings, roads and vehicles, as people fled the fast-moving wave of material in the Nuwakot region.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In one video, a towering wall of water and mud was seen rushing down a gorge along the Trishuli River and enveloping the Rasuvagadhi Border check point, a multi-storey building.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Severe flooding has been reported along the Bhote Koshi, Trishuli and Narayani rivers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Deaths have also been reported in villages on the Tibetan side of the border.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIDMOD) has warned secondary flooding could occur in the coming days as a result of the debris that washed into the river systems.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In a report, the ICIDMOD said they are in the process of assessing whether the Trishuli River has been temporarily blocked in narrow sections. If it has been blocked, it is at risk of forming a landslide dam &#8211; and a second flooding event.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Authorities and scientists are continuing to evaluate the size, location and stability of any potential blockages.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">How many people are dead and missing?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The number of people killed or missing is still becoming clear.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Nepali police say at least 389 people have died. Among those killed, 64 were found in downstream areas in the Chitwan district while another 26 were found in Nawalparasi East.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In its latest update on Thursday evening, Nepal&#8217;s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said 910 people were still missing. This included 517 foreign citizens, 44 members of the Nepal Army and 28 Nepal police officers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Meanwhile, China&#8217;s state broadcaster CCTV said on Thursday that the number of people missing in the mudslide disaster in Tibet&#8217;s Gyirong county had risen to 558.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Among these are 260 foreign nationals, CCTV said, adding that the death toll remained at three.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The Nepal Tourism Board said on Thursday that 644 tourists<strong> were<\/strong> still missing, <a data-ylk=\"slk:33 of which were UK nationals, including a 13-year-old girl and 14-year-old boy.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;yLinkElementType&quot;:&quot;article_link&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cnvlde5075no?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>33 of which were UK nationals, including a 13-year-old girl and 14-year-old boy.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">It is not clear if any of the missing in the Nepali and Chinese figures have been counted twice.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The border at Gyirong is the main crossing point for tourists and traffic between China and Nepal.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Police officers carrying an elderly woman who survived the flash flood at Trishuli in Nuwakot district of Nepal\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/lo\/mysterio\/api\/c9aecae18ef1ae7297118da51a90ee53050f3e82425b3419905ecf87f7155a09\/lightyear_networkapi\/resizefill_w960%3Bquality_80%3Bformat_webp\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen%2Fbbc_us_articles_995%2Fee2ef1dbeae8f1bb887059f613402f06.jpg\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">How are governments responding?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Nepal&#8217;s Prime Minister Balendra Shah said &#8220;the entire nation has been left shocked and deeply distressed&#8221; and that officials would coordinate with China on the response.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">China&#8217;s President Xi Jinping urged an &#8220;all-out&#8221; search effort, and promised stronger monitoring and early warning systems to prevent secondary impacts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In neighbouring India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his government was &#8220;prepared to provide Nepal with all possible types of humanitarian assistance&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">UN Secretary General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres says he is &#8220;saddened by the severe flooding&#8221;, adding that UN teams and partners are mobilising supplies and personnel in Nepal to support the government-led response.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The US has promised $500,000 (\u00a3367,982) in aid which will be used to cover emergency shelter, water, sanitation and other relief items for communities affected by the floods.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK has offered \u00a35m to help the Nepalese government and will do &#8220;everything we can&#8221; to support British nationals in Nepal.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">What countries are the missing tourists from?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Tourists from all over the world come to Nepal for its mountains and sacred sites. Official figures suggested at least 291 foreigners are among the missing, including:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"mb-4\">\n<li class=\"ml-4 safari:ml-6 list-disc\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>India &#8211; <\/strong>the Nepal Tourism board says 288<strong> <\/strong>nationals from neighbouring India are missing<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 safari:ml-6 list-disc\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>China<\/strong> &#8211; The Chinese foreign ministry says nearly 100 Chinese nationals are missing in Nepal<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 safari:ml-6 list-disc\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>US <\/strong>&#8211; the latest update from Nepal&#8217;s tourist board is that 65 US tourists are known to be among the missing<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 safari:ml-6 list-disc\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>Ukraine <\/strong>&#8211; Ukraine&#8217;s foreign ministry says 53 Ukrainian nationals are missing<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 safari:ml-6 list-disc\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>Malaysia <\/strong>&#8211; 51<strong> <\/strong>Malaysians travelling with Fishtail Tours and Travels are missing in the floods, officials say<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 safari:ml-6 list-disc\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>Australia<\/strong> &#8211; Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says at least 34 Australian citizens are among the missing<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 safari:ml-6 list-disc\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>UK<\/strong> &#8211; <strong>Nepal&#8217;s<\/strong> police say 33 British nationals are missing<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 safari:ml-6 list-disc\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>Canada <\/strong>&#8211; a tourism board spokesman in Nepal says 24 Canadians are reported missing<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Smaller numbers of travellers from South Korea, South Africa, Portugal, the Netherlands and New Zealand are also among the missing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/world\/articles\/know-deadly-nepal-tibet-floods-171330603.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Video shows scale of flash flood hitting Nepal-Tibet border Massive landslides and flash floods on the Nepal-Tibet border have caused widespread damage<br \/><button class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/what-we-know-about-deadly-nepal-tibet-floods\/27\/08\/2026\/\">Read More &rsaquo;<\/a><\/button><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":61694,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":0,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-61693","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-world"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/lo\/mysterio\/api\/d93492cb33548824e590ad192c4eb09e10e2d79a81cb29f50bfaf0c9422598c7\/lightyear_networkapi\/resizefill_w1200%3Bquality_80%3Bformat_jpg\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen%2Fbbc_us_articles_995%2F071779ebe4f5ea123b0efeb3d4b4ad65.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61693","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61693"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61693\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/61694"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61693"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61693"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61693"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}