Kathmandu, September 3, 2026: Nepal is facing one of its worst natural disasters in recent years after devastating flash floods triggered by an ice and rock collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border. The disaster has killed at least 1,204 people, according to an earlier update from Nepal’s disaster authorities, while more than 4,200 people remain missing.

Rescue and relief operations are continuing across the worst-hit districts, with security forces, helicopters and heavy machinery being deployed to reach isolated communities and clear massive amounts of mud and debris. Nearly 12,000 people have been rescued so far. More than 21,000 personnel from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force have been mobilised for search, rescue and relief operations.

A major focus of the rescue mission remains several hydropower project tunnels, where hundreds of workers are feared trapped. Rescue teams are working in extremely difficult terrain while using excavators, oxygen supplies and other specialised equipment to reach potentially survivable areas. International assistance from India, China, South Korea and the United States has also been supporting Nepal’s emergency response.

The disaster has caused extensive destruction to homes, roads, bridges and power infrastructure. Thousands of residents have been displaced, while relief teams are working to restore basic services and deliver food, medicines and clean water to affected communities.

Authorities are also facing the difficult task of identifying bodies. Families of missing people have been asked to provide DNA samples to help authorities establish identities and reunite victims with their relatives.

The scale of destruction has raised fresh concerns over climate-related risks in the Himalayan region. Nepal’s government has warned that the country needs stronger early-warning systems and improved disaster preparedness as extreme weather and glacier-related hazards become an increasing threat.

Latest update: Nepal’s death toll was later revised to 1,252 by Thursday noon, according to figures compiled by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), while at least 4,216 people remained unaccounted for.