“Nation’s lives were snatched away in an instant” – Prime Minister Balendra Shah told parliament after the August 26 flood.
Over 1,200 deaths and more than 4,200 missing have been reported in Nepal, while the Tibetan side cites 21 deaths and 540 missing. The disaster is blamed on a glacial collapse that triggered a flash flood.
Rescue teams are battling to reach up to 500 missing people at the Gyirong border crossing. Heavy machinery, helicopters, and drones are clearing debris and searching damaged hydropower tunnels.
The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) highlights broken bridges and limited access as the biggest challenge, and notes that many displaced communities rely on army flights for supplies.
Scientists warn that rising temperatures melt permafrost and glaciers, increasing the risk of similar disasters. The government and UN launched a four‑month humanitarian flash appeal to fund families and rebuild infrastructure.
