Last Updated on September 6, 2026 by YeJahan
YEJAHAN DESK
BEIJING (Aug 27, 2026): An avalanche on the Nepal-China border on Wednesday morning triggered a massive gush of water that swept through trekking routes and towns along the Bhotekoshi River, taking with it whatever came in its path, in one of Nepal’s deadliest disasters in decades.
The flash flood wreaked havoc across three districts of Nepal, killing more than 150 people, leaving scores including army officials and foreign tourists missing, and sweeping away private and public property.
Nepal flood –
— Sachin Gupta (@Sachingupta) August 26, 2026
1.38 सेकेंड के इस Video को देखकर रसुवा जिले में तबाही का अंदाजा लगाइए। भोटेकोशी नदी अचानक सैलाब आया। मकान–दुकान, गाड़ियों को बहा ले गया। https://t.co/fUkA9aqs9A pic.twitter.com/6OMobipUpZ
The avalanche first hit Timure, blocking the flow of the Lhende tributary of the Bhotekoshi River at Rasuwagadhi, turning the water towards the settlement where it wiped out hundreds of homes before surging downstream. Residents were oblivious to the disaster as they had no early warning of rain or flood. They were going about their daily routines when the water rose over their heads.
“It was the flood, rising like a wave nearly 100 metres high and sweeping through the market, and within moments, the market was gone,” said a survivor in Rasuwa.
When the warning words reached to their ears, people fled into the nearby forest. More than 300 vehicles and trucks waiting at the customs checkpoint were washed away.
People were seen running for their lives as devastating flash floods swept through parts of Nepal
— Surajit (@surajit_ghosh2) August 26, 2026
Nature always has the final say pic.twitter.com/mF1aV9GyBu
The flood continued its path of destruction, rushing towards Syaphrubesi to devour almost everything in its path along the river. There was no escape for people, animals, buildings, and public infrastructure.
The Nepalese Prime Minister’s Office has confirmed that hundreds of individuals, including 391 foreigners and 44 security personnel, have gone missing.
🔴 Les images en provenance du #Népal sont terrifiantes. Le séisme d’une magnitude de 4,4 qui s’est produit la nuit dernière au Tibet a déclenché des #avalanches de glace et des #glissements de terrain. Ils ont formé des embâcles sur les rivières de la région qui ont fini par… pic.twitter.com/XIdlQ76gii
— Guillaume Woznica (@GWoznica) August 26, 2026
The water swept away at least nine hydropower projects, an equal number of commercial bank branches, 19 bridges, 40 kilometres of highway, and a large number of private and public properties.
The flash floods in Nepal also triggered a mudslide that caused significant casualties in Tibet. Hundreds of people, including foreign tourists, are missing at Gyirong Port in Gyirong County, Shigatse City.
Tibetan officials said 384 tourists, including 291 from countries including India, the United States, the United Kingdom and Malaysia, were reported missing.
