Nepal races to rescue workers trapped after deadly floods

By Aurax Radio | August 31, 2026 | 2 min read

Rescuers in Nepal are working to reach hundreds of people believed trapped inside hydropower tunnels after catastrophic flooding along the Nepal-Tibet border. The disaster has killed more than 900 people in Nepal and left thousands missing, while flooding also caused deaths and disappearances in neighboring Tibet.

Flood and mudslide damage across a Nepalese valley following catastrophic Himalayan flooding.

Floodwaters and debris devastated communities and infrastructure in northern Nepal after the glacier-related disaster.

The flooding struck last Wednesday after a glacier collapse sent a massive surge of ice, rock, mud and debris through valleys and communities in northern Nepal and across the border into China. Nepal’s disaster authorities said 933 people associated with hydropower projects remained missing, with many believed to be inside about six blocked tunnels in the Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts. Rescue teams have been using excavators, controlled blasts and other equipment to clear debris and reach the underground areas, while difficult terrain and unstable conditions have repeatedly slowed operations.

Nepal reported 903 deaths and 4,247 people missing as of Monday, including 592 foreigners, while Chinese authorities reported 16 deaths and 546 missing in Tibet’s Gyirong County. About 21,000 Nepalese security personnel have been deployed alongside civilian workers and volunteers, with Chinese and Indian specialists assisting with tunnel rescues. China has also sent more than 2,100 rescue workers and financial support, while officials have warned that unstable terrain and a newly formed lake could create additional flooding risks.

The scale of the disaster has overwhelmed some communities, with hundreds of unidentified bodies recovered downstream and emergency teams facing major logistical challenges. The flooding has been linked to glacier instability and broader warming trends in the Himalayas, raising concerns about disaster preparedness in a region where communities and hydropower infrastructure are vulnerable to sudden glacial and flood events. Nepal has also relied increasingly on hydropower development, making the safety of workers and facilities in mountainous areas an important concern as rescue operations continue.

Sources: Associated Press, Reuters, Al Jazeera, CNN and BBC.

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