At least 31 people were confirmed dead, and many others were missing in Nepal after flash floods in the Bhote Koshi River, originating from Tibet, engulfed many areas in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts on Wednesday.

At least 105 Indian nationals are among 384 travellers preliminarily listed as missing after the flash flood swept through Nepal’s Rasuwa district near the Tibet border, according to the Nepal Tourism Board. The preliminary list includes 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali nationals, with the whereabouts and safety of those listed still being verified.

The 105 Indians are the largest identified foreign-national group on the list. In addition, 37 people have been listed separately as non-resident Indians (NRIs), according to the Tourism Board.

Nepal’s foreign minister Shishir Khanal said the flash flood was caused by an earthquake. “An earthquake occurred at 8:37 a.m. today, and due to it, a large landslide occurred, blocking the river, which appears to have caused the flood,” Khanal said during a meeting at the House of Representatives.

The United States Geological Survey, which records earthquakes worldwide, registered a 4.4-magnitude earthquake in the region at the same time as the one referenced by Khanal.

Initial reports from the affected areas and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said the swollen river swept many settlements across the 60-km road from Xylong in Tibet, China, down to Rasuwa, Nuwakot (Trishuli), and Dhading. The river joins the Trishuli River in Rasuwa.

Trubhuwan Trishula High School—the oldest and biggest in the area—was either swept away or substantially damaged, cutting the area off from the rest of the Himalayan country.

“We have unconfirmed reports of casualties. We are gathering authentic information,” a disaster management official said. The police said a glacier that melted in Tibet caused the Bhote Koshi to flood around 9.15 am in Nepal.

भोटेकोसी नदी रसुवामा तिब्बत तर्फबाट ठुलो बाढी प्रवेश गरेकोले अर्को सूचना नआउँदासम्म त्रीशुली नदीको तटिय क्षेत्रका जिल्लाहरु नुवाकोट, धादिङ, चितवन, गोरखा लगायतका स्थानहरूमा उच्च सतर्कता सहित सुरक्षित स्थानमा रहन अनुरोध छ। pic.twitter.com/Zun6icZZCM

— Nepal Police (@NepalPoliceHQ) August 26, 2026

Officials said that information gathered from the Chinese side indicated that although the water levels in the Bhote Koshi were receding, the threat of fresh floods cannot be ruled out.

The affected route is part of Nepal’s over 260-year-old trade route with Tibet. At least half a dozen bridges over the Trishuli have also been swept away, including in the Malekhu area, obstructing travel towards two important tourist zones: Chitwan and Pokhara.

The aftermath of the devastating flash flood in Trishuli Bazaar, Nuwakot, Nepal. The footage shows widespread destruction, with floodwaters leaving debris and damaged structures across the area.

Video ©: Nuwakot Express. pic.twitter.com/hyuKt0wEXv

— Everest Today (@EverestToday) August 26, 2026

Initial reports also said that the floods affected at least 430 MW of power generation capacity.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah called an emergency meeting of the Cabinet. The Nepal Army has taken the lead in the rescue operations, and other security agencies are assisting it.

The preliminary list was compiled from information provided by 10 tourism and travel agencies. The Tourism Board, Tourist Police and tourism stakeholders are verifying the whereabouts and safety of the travellers in coordination with travel agencies, guides, local authorities and security agencies. Among the 291 foreign nationals, India accounts for 105, while others include nationals of Australia, the Netherlands, the United States, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and South Africa. The nationalities of several other foreign travellers have yet to be confirmed, while 37 are listed as non-resident Indians (NRIs).

नेपाल में आई बाढ़ का एक और डरावना वीडियो। यह तस्वीर चीन अधिकृत तिब्बत के इमिग्रेशन सेंटर की है। बाढ़ की वेव करीब 5 मंजिला ऊंची इमारत को पार कर गईं। यहां पर शायद ही कोई जिंदा बच पाया होगा। बाढ़ की शुरुआत इसी एरिया से हुई, जो बाद में नेपाल में एंटर हुई। https://t.co/JiWboP9mSw pic.twitter.com/DYFAgNHZIr

— Sachin Gupta (@Sachingupta) August 26, 2026