An avalanche of ice and rock triggered massive flash floods in Nepal on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, killing at least eight people, leaving hundreds missing and causing widespread damage to villages and infrastructure.
Officials said 384 tourists, including 291 foreigners from countries such as India, the United States, the United Kingdom and Malaysia, were reported missing.
The Bhotekoshi River reportedly burst its banks around 9 a.m. local time, flooding several areas and destroying villages, roads and hydropower projects.
“We have asked both India and China to help us with the rescue efforts,” said Sasmit Pokharel, a spokesperson for the Nepali government.
Dozens of multi-storey buildings, trucks and vans were buried under huge amounts of mud in Nuwakot district, one of the worst-affected areas.
Officials warned residents in several districts to remain vigilant and stay away from the banks of the Bhotekoshi, Trishuli and Narayani rivers.
Nepal Tourism Board officials said most of those reported missing were believed to be tourists from India and members of the Indian diaspora travelling on pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet, a sacred site for Hindus.
South Korean government officials also said some of their citizens working on the construction of a hydropower plant in Nepal were among those reported missing.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry said its embassy in Kathmandu had received reports from travel agencies that they had lost contact with 11 Malaysians believed to be in Rasuwa district, which was severely affected by the floods.
Rescue operations were ongoing as authorities worked to locate those missing and assess the full extent of the damage.
