Nepal-China flash floods leave 1,280 dead, thousands missing

Photo — CP Khanal / Pexels

Devastating flash floods across Nepal and parts of China have become one of the deadliest natural disasters of 2026, with confirmed deaths rising to at least 1,280 and more than 5,620 people still missing as operations move into a second week.[3] In Nepal alone, disaster officials estimate that property, housing and infrastructure losses have reached at least 387.5 billion Nepalese rupees (about $2.56 billion), underscoring the scale of destruction to communities and critical facilities such as hydropower projects.[10][13] Rescuers have pulled survivors from tunnels at the Upper Trishuli 3A Hydropower Station after nine days trapped underground, while hundreds remain unaccounted for in flooded project sites and surrounding areas.[5][13] The floods come amid a historically strong El Niño pattern that global agencies warn is intensifying, increasing risks of extreme weather, floods and drought worldwide into 2027.[7][11] Regional governments and international organizations are now confronting an acute humanitarian crisis, with urgent needs for shelter, medical care, and reconstruction funding, as well as broader questions about climate resilience and infrastructure safety in vulnerable mountain and river systems.[3][7][10][13]

Sources: Anadolu Agency, NDTV, The New York Times, Anewz TV, The Standard, The Straits Times