Nepal flash floods: Death toll climbs to 616, search and rescue operations intensify

Gyirong: Personnel of the Shigatse Military Sub-command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army clear roads at a rescue site in an area near Gyirong Port, along the China-Nepal border, in Gyirong, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, on Friday, August 28, 2026. Since the mudslide disaster occurred in Gyirong on August 26, the Shigatse Military Sub-command has dispatched more than 150 personnel to carry out rescue operations. On Friday morning, the military sub-command sent 35 additional rescue personnel to the mission area about 2 km from Gyirong Port to carry out emergency rescue and search operations.

Kathmandu: The death toll from the flash floods reached 616 on Saturday morning, while hundreds remain missing, local media reported, citing officials.

As of 6am on Saturday, police had recovered 233 bodies in Chitwan, 158 in Nawalparasi East, 48 in Gorkha, 47 in Nawalparasi West, 45 in Dhading, 41 in Nuwakot, 31 in Tanahun and 13 in Rasuwa, according to a leading Nepalese daily, The Kathmandu Post.

Meanwhile, search and rescue operations are underway across the affected districts of the Himalayan nation. Officials said that the police are coordinating with residents and other agencies to locate missing people and assist those stranded by the floods.

Rescued people are being taken from high-risk areas to safer locations. Additionally, the search and rescue officials are working to clear roads blocked by flood debris and landslides to reopen access and facilitate relief operations.

The massive flash flood that struck Nepal's Rasuwa on Wednesday originated in the Tibetan region of China. It swept through the transboundary Bhote Koshi River, leaving a trail of destruction in the country.

The bodies are being recovered from the riverbanks in several downstream districts along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems, including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading. Chitwan, Gorkha, Tanahun, Nawalparasi (East) and Nawalparasi (West).

The officials said that the death toll is expected to rise as the search and rescue operations continue.

Meanwhile, the Nepal government has agreed to accept help from international search and rescue teams.