The Nepal-Tibet floods have killed at least 165 people. The floods have also left nearly 1,500 missing after a glacier collapse triggered destructive debris flows across the Himalayan border region on Wednesday.
The disaster began when part of a glacier collapsed. As a result, ice, rock and mud rushed into the Lhende Khola River. This river runs along the Nepal-Tibet border.
The debris struck Gyirong port in Tibet and parts of Nepal, destroying roads and power projects and flooding villages.
At least 160 people have been killed and hundreds are missing after flash floods and a landslide at Nepal’s border with China’s Tibet. A wall of water and mud swept through the Gyirong crossing, destroying riverside villages in central Nepal.
Al Jazeera’s Ferdia Carr reports. pic.twitter.com/wePs8dfsbj
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) August 27, 2026Initial reports suggested an earthquake may have triggered the collapse. However, the US Geological Survey said the detected seismic activity was caused by the fall of glacial rock and ice. This was then followed by a debris flow.
More than 5,000 Nepalese army and police personnel were deployed for rescue operations. Nepal Army spokesperson Raja Ram Basnet said rescuers had saved 125 people by Thursday, including 20 foreigners.
🇳🇵 🇨🇳 At least 180 people have been killed and nearly 1,500 missing following devastating landslides in #Nepal and #China‘s autonomous region of #Tibet.
Residents of affected areas are coming to terms with the devastation.
Watch for more ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/Tml5CTx7mB
— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) August 27, 2026Among those reported missing in Nepal are 177 Indian nationals, including pilgrims travelling to Kailash Mansarovar. Other missing persons include citizens of the United States, Ukraine, Australia, Britain, Malaysia, Canada and South Korea.
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India supplied emergency aid and coordinated relief efforts with Kathmandu. Meanwhile, the United Nations said it was mobilising personnel and supplies. South Korea also announced plans to send a rapid-response team. In addition, around 5,000 people were evacuated in India’s Bihar state after downstream flood alerts were issued.
