Flash Flood in Nepal's Rasuwa Leaves Nearly 400 Kailash Pilgrims Missing

A devastating flash flood struck the Bhote Koshi river basin along the Tibet-Nepal border on Wednesday morning, August 26, 2026, leaving nearly 400 pilgrims bound for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra out of contact in Nepal's Rasuwa district. The deluge, which occurred between 8:30 and 9:15 a.m. local time, washed away critical infrastructure, including the Nepal-China Miteri Bridge, roads, and residential buildings, while also causing at least 19 confirmed deaths. The flood originated from a sudden surge of water on the Tibetan side, possibly triggered by a landslide that temporarily blocked a river before bursting through. It swept through the Rasuwagadhi-Timure area, where pilgrims were preparing to cross into Tibet. Among those reported missing are 105 Indian citizens and 37 non-resident Indians, according to preliminary figures from the Nepal Tourism Board. The total number of missing individuals stands at 384, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali nationals. The list is being verified with travel agencies, guides, and local authorities.