Nepal flood rescue count reaches 4,270 as 4,599 remain missing

September 1, 2026 at 01:24 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Nepal police reported 4,270 people rescued and 4,599 still missing as of September 1 after the August 26 glacial flood on the Nepal-Tibet border. Rescuers have placed 3,453 survivors in temporary shelters across Nuwakot, Dhading, Rasuwa, and Kathmandu. Search operations continue despite repeated suspensions due to bad weather and the threat of a new flood from a lake formed near the border.

Key Facts

Nepal police reported 4,270 people rescued and 4,599 missing as of September 1.
The August 26 flood was triggered by a partial collapse of a high-altitude glacier in Nepal, according to Chinese specialists.
Police have buried 581 bodies and handed over the remains of 56 victims to their families.
Among the missing are 2,980 Nepali citizens, 581 foreigners, and 1,329 people reported missing by phone.
Search operations have been suspended several times due to bad weather and the threat of a new flood from a lake formed near the border.

Rescue and Shelter

Police spokesperson Abi Narayan Kafle said 3,453 rescued people were placed in temporary shelters in Nuwakot, Dhading, Rasuwa, and Kathmandu. Among the rescued are 3,003 men, 1,254 women, and 13 unidentified individuals. Search and rescue operations, collection of bodies, and data gathering on missing persons continue without interruption, police said.

Casualties and Missing

Police have buried 581 bodies: 121 women, 198 men, and 262 unidentified remains. The remains of 56 victims were handed over to their families and relatives. In total, 1,010 bodies have been found: 30 boys, 35 girls, 209 women, 385 men, and 351 unidentified remains. Among the missing are 2,980 Nepali citizens (2,312 men and 368 women), 581 foreigners (251 men and 330 women), and 1,329 people reported missing by phone. Hundreds of hydropower plant workers are among the missing.

Flood Cause and Search Disruptions

The disaster occurred on August 26 on the Nepal-Tibet border. Chinese specialists concluded that part of a high-altitude glacier collapsed in Nepal. The mass pulled rocks and soil, forming a powerful flow that reached the border crossing in 6-7 minutes and caused a sudden flood. Search operations were suspended several times due to bad weather and the threat of a new flood from a lake formed near the border.