Death toll climbs to 1,442 from devastating floods, mudslides at Nepal-China border, with 5,700 missing

Nepal said 13,742 people were rescued, while 21,022 personnel joined search and relief efforts Bhuban Bahadur Subedi, 66, stands at his damaged house by the Trishuli River following deadly flash floods and a mudslide, in Dhading district, Nepal, September 14, 2026. REUTERS The death toll from last month's devastating flash floods and mudslides at the Nepal-China border shot up to 1,442 after rescuers retrieved 14 bodies on Tuesday in Nepal. A total of 5,698 remain missing. Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said 1,399 bodies have been recovered from flood-hit areas, with 5,179 not found. It said 13,742 people have been rescued, while 21,022 security personnel were mobilised for search, rescue and relief operations. Among those missing in Nepal were 587 foreign tourists. Authorities said the missing-person count remains subject to verification and may include unidentified bodies and those who have already been rescued. Read More: Nepal flood recovery bill to hit $4.78b On the Chinese side, the death toll remains at 43, with 519 missing, including 261 foreigners in Tibet, which Beijing designates as the Xizang autonomous region. The disaster struck August 26 when a glacier on Nepal's Mount Langtang Lirung fractured at an altitude of 5,200 metres. The fracture triggered an ice-rock avalanche that turned into a massive debris flow and swept through valleys along the border. Floodwaters and mudslides devastated Nepal's Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Kavre districts, as well as the Kathmandu Valley. The disaster also buried the Gyirong border crossing in Xizang.