Nepal Flood Disaster: Over 900 Dead, Nearly 5,000 Missing
Sarah Shamim
At least 903 people have died in Nepal and 16 in Tibet after flash floods from glacial melt hit the border region, with nearly 5,000 still missing. Rescue teams are racing to reach hundreds of workers trapped in hydropower tunnels, facing difficult terrain and weather.
Five days after the catastrophic flash floods struck the Nepal-Tibet border region, rescue teams continue their relentless search for thousands of missing people. According to the latest figures, at least 903 people have died in Nepal and 16 in Tibet (China). The total number of missing has reached nearly 5,000, including hundreds believed to be trapped inside hydropower tunnels buried under mud and debris.
Cause of the Disaster
Officials from both countries stated that a massive ice block collapsed near Langtang Lirung peak (about 5,200 meters) on August 26, plunging roughly 1,200 meters and carrying rocks and debris before crashing into the Lende River. The resulting floodwater swept through Nepal's Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts, causing severe inundation.
Urgent Rescue Operations
Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah said nearly 21,000 security personnel and many volunteers are involved in rescue efforts. After initially declining, Nepal agreed to accept assistance from Chinese and Indian experts. China deployed more than 2,100 rescue workers, spent 220 million yuan (about $33 million) on relief efforts, and airdropped equipment and supplies. India sent 18 army officers trained in tunnel rescue, six forensic teams to identify victims via DNA, and four rounds of humanitarian aid, including generators, food, tents, and medicine.
Hotspot: Hydropower Tunnels
Among the missing are 933 workers employed at hydropower projects along the flooded rivers. Many are believed trapped under mud and debris in about half a dozen tunnels. Rescue teams are focusing on the Trishuli 3A and 3B projects in Rasuwa district. On the night of August 30, they drilled through the top of a buried tunnel and pumped in air while inserting cameras. Nearly 300 workers trapped in these tunnels have been rescued, including some Indians. However, as of the evening of August 31, further search efforts have yielded no results.
Rescue Challenges
Rugged terrain and poor weather have repeatedly interrupted rescue operations. Heavy rain and rising river levels on the night of August 30 flooded the excavation area, forcing a temporary halt until conditions improved. Additionally, two large reservoirs formed by the floods are threatening the safety of workers inside the tunnels and nearby residents. Nitesh Khadka, a Nepali physical geography researcher, warned that a sudden surge of water could collapse the tunnels and power plants, injuring or trapping anyone still inside.
Prime Minister Shah called this an “unprecedented and devastating natural disaster” and vowed to continue rescue efforts despite harsh weather and risks. Meanwhile, international aid operations from the United Nations, the Red Cross, Australia, South Korea, and the United States are underway.
