Nepal flash floods LIVE: Death toll jumps to 469; fresh flood warnings for disaster-hit Nepal and Tibet

Home News World The Red Cross launched an emergency appeal for $31 million to respond to the devastating flash floods and landslides Updated - August 28, 2026 08:29 am IST This satellite image provided by Vantor shows destruction at Syapru Besi, Nepal on Thursday (August 27, 2026). | Photo Credit: AP The ‌death toll from ⁠a ‌flash ‌flood ‌that occurred ⁠earlier ⁠this week in ‌Nepal has reached ‌469, Nepal police said ⁠on ‌Friday (August 28, 2026).WATCH | Why did the flash floods happen in Nepal?A Nepal Police statement said 796 people, including 50 foreigners, have so far been rescued from affected areas by helicopters, while another 796 have been evacuated by land. Meanwhile, Earth scientists reviewed satellite imagery for clues to the cause and assessed the devastation. Geomorphologists Kristen Cook and Dan Shugar said they could see in satellite images that the bedrock underneath the glacier had collapsed, taking the massive chunk of ice down with it and sending boulders and ice into the valley.Also Read | Danger from above: On the Nepal floodThe Red Cross also launched an emergency appeal for $31 million to respond to the devastating flash floods and landslides that struck the Nepal-Tibet border. The Switzerland-based International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) launched the appeal for 25 million Swiss francs the day after releasing one million francs to support the immediate lifesaving response.Follow LIVE updates here Here are helpline numbers of Indian Embassy and state governments The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu have issued emergency helpline numbers for Indian nationals seeking assistance or information. Those requiring help may contact the embassy helplines at +977 985 131 6807 and +977 970 910 7500.The Nepal Tourism Board also issued emergency contact numbers, including the toll-free number 1234, hotline 1144 and Tourist Police number 9851289445.Here are all the emergency contact numbersAugust 28, 2026 08:12 Tsunami of dirt: What caused Nepal’s deadly glacial flood? As an expert in glaciers, I have tracked their accelerating retreat around the world as they melt – and the disasters that can follow. Early analysis suggests the abrupt collapse of a glacier triggered the disaster.As climate change intensifies, glaciers worldwide are melting – even in high regions such as the Himalayas. The Himalayas are especially vulnerable, because the steep slopes of many of these very tall mountains are made of permafrost – rock and soil frozen for centuries. As temperatures rise, these slopes are beginning to melt or destabilise. If an earthquake or slope failure occurs, it can trigger a sudden and devastating debris flow.It’s too early to say this was the exact cause. But we know that the great ice stores of the Himalayas – known as the world’s “third pole“ because it contains the largest amount of snow and ice after the Arctic and Antarctic – are no longer safe.Read Levan Tielidze’s analysis hereTsunami of dirt: What caused Nepal’s deadly glacial flood?Explore the causes behind Nepal's devastating glacial flood that resulted in over 150 fatalities and widespread destruction.August 28, 2026 08:02 About 90 Americans unaccounted for after catastrophic floods hit Nepal and TibetU.S. officials said about 90 U.S. citizens remained unaccounted for Thursday, a day after catastrophic flash floods engulfed a border area of China and Nepal, killing hundreds of people. A spiritual organization said that 22 Americans associated with it were unaccounted for.In a statement, the U.S. State Department said it is not aware of any U.S. deaths, but three Americans have been rescued.Many of the missing were on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet, a sacred site for Hindus, Buddhists and others.-APAugust 28, 2026 07:46 China warns of high flood risk from lake formed by mudslide: state mediaChinese authorities warned that an artificial lake formed after a mudslide hit the China-Nepal border faces a “high risk of breaching and sending floodwaters downstream”, according to state media.“According to forecasts, inflows into the lake could reach about 3 million cubic meters over the next three days amid continued rainfall, increasing the risk of a breach that could send floodwaters downstream and potentially cause further damage in areas including Gyirong Port and elsewhere downstream”, state news agency Xinhua reported late on Thursday (August 27).-AFPAugust 28, 2026 07:34 Nepal floods highlight growing glacier risks in warming HimalayasThe deadly flash flood in Nepal on Wednesday (August 26, 2026) was likely caused by a huge chunk of a glacier that broke off and temporarily dammed a river, according to preliminary investigations by scientists. That may have led to the backed-up water surging downstream with enormous force a few hours later, they suggested.Scientists are still piecing together information from satellite and ground-level data to figure out exactly what happened to cause the flood, which killed hundreds and left many more missing, including foreigners and pilgrims.Here’s the full storyNepal floods highlight growing glacier risks in warming HimalayasNepal floods underscore the urgent risks posed by melting glaciers in the rapidly warming Himalayas, impacting communities and infrastructure.August 28, 2026 07:19 Scientists find clues in satellite imagery to the cause of catastrophic floods in Nepal and Tibet As rescue teams searched on Thursday (August 27) for missing people following catastrophic flooding along the Nepal-China border, Earth scientists reviewed satellite imagery for clues to the cause and assessed the devastation.Geomorphologists Kristen Cook and Dan Shugar said initial images from Nepal on Wednesday were obscured by clouds and dust from the debris, so they could only see that part of a glacier had broken off from the Langtang Lirung peak, near the border with Tibet.In clearer images from Thursday, they said they could see that the bedrock underneath the glacier had collapsed, taking the massive chunk of ice down with it and sending boulders and ice into the valley.-APAugust 28, 2026 07:13 Fresh flood risk persists downstream of Nepal’s Bhote Koshi as new lake formsA fresh flood risk persists in downstream areas of the Bhote Koshi River in Nepal’s Rasuwa district after a new barrier lake formed near the river’s source, with Chinese authorities warning that the lake could breach, officials said on Thursday (August 27).The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) said it had received information from the Chinese side about the formation of a lake at a river blockage site near the Nepal-China border.The information was conveyed to Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the Chinese government, according to the department.Read the story hereFresh flood risk persists downstream of Nepal’s Bhote Koshi as new lake formsFresh flood risks arise downstream of Nepal's Bhote Koshi as a new lake forms, prompting urgent safety measures and monitoring.August 28, 2026 07:12 Australia dispatches aid to Nepal as 39 citizens missingAustralia will provide $3.6 million in aid for communities hit by floods along ‌the Nepal-China border and deploy extra consular staff to ⁠the area, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Friday (August 28) as the number ‌of missing Australians rose to 39.“The extraordinary scale ‌of this disaster and the remoteness of the affected region mean immense challenges lie ahead ‌for the response and recovery,” Ms. Wong said in a joint statement with International ⁠Development Minister Anne Aly.-ReutersAugust 28, 2026 06:55 Red Cross launches $31 mn appeal for Nepal disaster responseThe Red Cross launched an emergency appeal for $31 million on Thursday (August 27) to respond to the devastating flash floods and landslides that struck the Nepal-Tibet border.The Switzerland-based International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) launched the appeal for 25 million Swiss francs the day after releasing one million francs to support the immediate lifesaving response.The appeal is to cover emergency disaster response followed by supporting the medium and long-term recovery, over the next two years.-AFPAugust 28, 2026 06:53 Why did the flash floods happen in Nepal?Why did the flash floods happen in Nepal?Several people have died in Nepal after floods triggered by a glacial collapse along the Nepal-Tibet border, with 288 Indians still missing.August 28, 2026 06:51 13 from Karnataka missing in Nepal, Tibet after flash floodsThe Karnataka government on Thursday (August 27, 2026) said 13 people from the State were missing in Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) following flash floods. They are travelling in groups comprising people from other states. Of the 13, 11 are from Bengaluru Urban district, one is from Mysuru district and one is from Dharwad district.Most of the missing people are in Timure in Rasuwa district of Nepal, while a few are in Darchen in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), according to a release.Read the story here13 from Karnataka missing in Nepal, Tibet after flash floodsThe Karnataka government on Thursday (August 27, 2026) said 13 people from the State were stranded in Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) following flash floods. August 28, 2026 06:47 Nepal-Tibet flash floods: Toll surges to 392; nearly 1,500 missing as fresh flood threat loomsThe death toll from the massive Nepal-Tibet flash floods rose to 392 on Thursday (August 27), as rescuers raced against time to trace hundreds of people still missing, including 290 Indian nationals.Of the 392 victims, 389 died in the flash floods in Nepal, while three were killed in neighbouring Tibet.A Nepal Police statement said 796 people, including 50 foreigners, have so far been rescued from affected areas by helicopters, while another 796 have been evacuated by land.-PTIAugust 28, 2026 06:47 At least 290 Indians remain ‘uncontactable’ after Nepal flash flood, says MEAIn a “preliminary assessment” of the situation following the flash flood in Nepal, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday (August 27, 2026) said at least 290 Indian nationals remain “uncontactable”.On India’s support to Nepal as it deals with the disaster, which has killed at least 359 people in the country, MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “The second consignment of 37.5 tonnes of HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief) material, medicines and food packets has been handed over to Mr. Mahabir Pun, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, to support Nepal’s flood relief and rescue efforts. India remains committed to standing by Nepal and its people.”Read the story hereNepal flash floods: At least 288 Indians still missing; MEA says focus is on providing humanitarian aid as per Kathmandu’s requestAt least 288 Indians are missing in Nepal's flash floods; India focuses on humanitarian aid and mobilizing resources for relief efforts. Published - August 28, 2026 06:45 am ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products