Chinese officials have warned that the search and rescue operation following the flash floods in Nepal has entered a critical phase as a landslide-formed lake risks overflowing, while the death toll has risen to 547.
On 28 Aug 2026 GMT+7, the situation from the major flash floods and landslides along the Nepal-Tibet border remains concerning. A sudden surge of water and mudflows on Wednesday caused the death toll in Nepal to rise to at least 547, with many still missing. Authorities are racing to locate and assist victims amid the threat of further flooding.
Chinese officials stated that the search and rescue operation has reached a “critical phase” because the lake created by the landslide at the border has rising water levels that risk overflowing. If the water breaches the banks and floods downstream areas, it could cause new flooding hazards endangering residents and rescue teams.
Meanwhile, Nepalese officials revealed they have rescued over 100 foreigners but many remain missing. The latest figures indicate 575 missing foreigners from 36 countries, including 183 Indians, 65 Americans, 62 Ukrainians, and 33 British nationals. Additionally, 149 Nepalese are reported missing.
The number of missing persons is continuously being updated as authorities review and revise lists from multiple agencies. Access to the disaster areas remains difficult due to damaged roads and bridges. On the Chinese Tibet side, official Chinese media report 5 deaths and over 558 missing persons, though it is unclear if some missing are counted twice across Nepalese and Chinese reports.
Nonetheless, officials on both sides continue efforts to search for the missing and evacuate people from high-risk zones. Close monitoring of the water level in the landslide-formed lake is ongoing amid fears of flooding into communities, which could worsen the crisis further.
Source: BBC