China-Nepal border floods leave nearly 400 missing, including 105 Indians

Flash floods and a mudslide struck the China-Nepal border in Tibet, leaving hundreds missing. The disaster has hit both countries hard, prompting a major rescue push and fresh safety alerts.Stock photo used for illustrationChinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday ordered all-out efforts to search for and rescue people missing after devastating flash floods hit areas along the China-Nepal border in Tibet, causing heavy casualties. Nearly 400 people are missing, including at least 105 Indians and 37 NRIs.The flooding also swept through two central Nepal districts bordering Tibet, killing at least four people, causing extensive damage to settlements along the river and damaging at least a dozen hydropower projects early on Wednesday.According to state-run Xinhua news agency, Xi issued the instructions after a mudslide occurred at around 10.30 am on Wednesday at Gyirong border port in Gyirong County, causing severe casualties and leaving people unaccounted for. He called for efforts to evacuate residents at risk and ensure timely medical treatment for the injured to minimise casualties.Xi also stressed the need to strengthen monitoring and early warning, ensure scientific rescue operations and guard against secondary disasters. China’s Tibet Autonomous Region shares a border with Nepal, and a landslide struck near the border crossing between the two countries. A total of 145 officers and soldiers from the Xigaze detachment of the People’s Armed Police have been sent to the affected border port to assist with emergency response operations. Drone footage showed some buildings at the port buried under debris, Chinese official media reported. State-run Global Times said the local government had sent personnel to the disaster-hit area, where communications had been cut off. The Chinese Embassy in Nepal also activated its emergency response mechanism after a flash flood struck the Rasuwa area in northern Nepal on Wednesday morning. The embassy assessed the situation of Chinese citizens and enterprises in the affected area, urged the Nepalese government and relevant agencies to carry out rescue efforts, and issued a fresh safety advisory to Chinese citizens and institutions in Nepal.The disaster has affected both sides of the China-Nepal border, with casualties, widespread damage and hundreds reported missing, as rescue and emergency response operations continue. With PTI Inputs- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 26, 2026 17:52 IST