At Least 289 Dead, Nearly 1,500 Missing After Devastating Nepal-Tibet Flash Floods

At least 289 people have been killed and nearly 1,500 remain missing after catastrophic flash floods tore through Nepal and neighbouring Tibet on Wednesday (Aug 26), sweeping away homes, roads and bridges.

Nepalese authorities said at least 289 bodies had been recovered, while hundreds remain unaccounted for across Nepal and Tibet, including foreign tourists.

Hundreds of foreign tourists remain missing following the devastating floods in Nepal.

The Nepal Tourism Board's latest update lists 644 missing people, including travellers from several countries across the region and beyond.

The disaster began high in the Himalayas after a massive section of glacier and rock collapsed into a river system near the Nepal-Tibet border.

The debris temporarily blocked the river before giving way, sending a powerful wall of water, mud and rocks downstream.

The US Geological Survey said a seismic event initially believed to be an earthquake was actually generated by the glacial collapse and debris flow.

Some of the worst destruction was reported in Nepal's Rasuwa district, before floodwaters travelled through the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers into downstream areas including Nuwakot and Dhading.

Water levels in the Trishuli reportedly surged by as much as nine metres within just 30 minutes.

Rescue teams have been deployed with helicopters, drones and search dogs, but damaged roads, high river levels and thick mud have made it difficult to reach some communities.

Authorities have warned that the death toll could rise as searches continue.

Nine Singaporeans are now listed as missing following the devastating floods in Nepal.

The latest figure was released by the Nepal Tourism Board at 12pm local time on Thursday (Aug 27)