Death toll reaches 1,428 as Nepal estimates $7 billion reconstruction cost
Three weeks after the glacier collapse, Nepal's disaster agency reports 1,385 bodies recovered and 5,130 missing, while authorities project nearly $7 billion needed to rebuild flood-ravaged infrastructure.
Quick summary
At least 1,428 people have died and more than 5,649 remain missing across Nepal and China three weeks after the August 26 glacier collapse, according to multiple outlets. Nepal's disaster agency reported 1,385 bodies recovered and 5,130 missing as of Thursday, while Chinese state media confirmed 43 deaths and 519 missing in Tibet. Nepal estimates reconstruction will cost nearly $7 billion, with at least 12 hydropower projects engulfed in mud and debris and entire villages wiped out. Rescuers detected a pocket of cool, fresh air toward the top of the five-floor Trishuli hydropower tunnel complex, raising faint hopes for six workers still unaccounted for at the site. The Nepal Army has been using four Chinese-donated DJI FlyCart 100 cargo drones to fly food to stranded survivors and recover bodies from areas difficult to access, conducting 10 to 16 relief runs per day and transporting more than 1,500 kilograms of food.
Key points
- Death toll increased from 1,410 to at least 1,428, with Nepal reporting 1,385 bodies recovered (up from 1,367) and China reporting 43 deaths.
- Missing count rose from 5,651 to more than 5,649, with Nepal reporting 5,130 missing (down from 5,132) and China reporting 519 missing.
- Nepal estimates reconstruction costs at nearly $7 billion, with at least 12 hydropower projects engulfed in mud and debris.
- Around 900 power station workers remain missing, with rescuers detecting cool, fresh air in the Trishuli hydropower tunnel complex where six workers are still unaccounted for.
- Nepal Army is using four Chinese-donated DJI FlyCart 100 cargo drones for relief operations, conducting 10-16 missions daily and transporting over 1,500 kg of food to isolated areas.
- Malaysian automaker Proton has donated drones worth nearly RM200,000 to support disaster assessment and response efforts.
How it unfolded
- New
Flood begins
A glacier collapse and ice-rock avalanche trigger a major surge through the Bhotekoshi river system.
- New
Infrastructure hit
Roads, hydropower plants and transmission facilities suffer major damage.
- ChangedContested
Reported casualty numbers rise sharply
Figures moved from 8 to more than 350 within 24 hours as information reached authorities from areas cut off by communication outages.
- Changed
Cause clarified
Reporting identifies a glacial flood mechanism, and early seismic signals are attributed to the landslide rather than a tectonic earthquake.
- New
More than 1,300 people reported missing
The scale of the missing-person count prompts international rescue efforts.
- New
Warning of a second flood
Authorities warn that a landslide-created lake combined with further rainfall could produce a secondary disaster.
- New
Rescue race
Reports that 933 hydropower workers are missing shift international attention toward the flooded tunnels.
- New
Search continues
Rescuers drill into hydropower tunnels as hopes of finding survivors become a central focus of coverage.
- ChangedContested
Reported missing count rises to 4,793
Up from roughly 1,300 five days earlier.
- New
Close to 300 workers rescued from tunnels
Rescue teams from China, India and Nepal use excavators and temporary bridges to reach trapped workers.
- New
Electricity restored
Power has been restored nearly a week after the floods.
- New
Death toll crosses 1,000
The Associated Press reports more than 1,000 deaths across Nepal and China.
- New
Official says trapped workers may be alive
A Nepal Electricity Authority official states there is a high chance workers trapped in Rasuwagadhi hydropower plant chambers have survived.
- New
U.S. rescue teams join effort
Specialized rescue teams from the United States are now involved alongside Chinese, Indian and Nepali crews.
- New
Economic toll quantified
Mongabay reports 281 MW of installed capacity wiped out or badly damaged, 388 MW under construction damaged, with losses estimated in the hundreds of billions of Nepali rupees.
- New
Death toll surpasses 1,200
Multiple outlets report the death toll has exceeded 1,200, making this Nepal's deadliest natural disaster since the 2015 earthquake.
- Changed
Authorities 'very confident' 46 workers may be alive
Nepal Electricity Authority officials say they are 'very confident' about 46 workers trapped in an underground room at Rasuwagadhi have access to food and water, refining earlier statements about trapped workers' chances of survival.
- New
Rescuers advance 250 meters into Rasuwagadhi tunnel
Teams have progressed 250 meters into a tunnel at Rasuwagadhi before encountering a blockage, continuing efforts to reach the underground chamber.
- New
At least eight workers may be trapped at Chilime project
Nepal's Independent Power Producers' Association reports at least eight people may be trapped at the Chilime hydropower project.
- New
Two workers rescued alive from tunnel
Described as a "miracle" rescue nine days after the flood began.
- New
Death toll rises to 1,294 in Nepal
Nepal's disaster agency reports 1,294 bodies recovered and 5,053 people missing as of Sept. 5.
- New
Overall death toll crosses 1,290
Multiple outlets report more than 1,290 or 1,300 dead across Nepal and China combined.
- Changed
Rasuwagadhi reports 93 workers missing
Company secretary says 93 people are unaccounted for; searches of the powerhouse found no one inside, and the company now estimates between four and 14 may have been trapped inside the powerhouse.
- New
Nepal Electricity Authority confirms 431 MW knocked out
Six major hydropower and transmission facilities were damaged, including Rasuwagadhi, Chilime and Trishuli 3A.
- New
Search for Rasuwagadhi workers expands beyond powerhouse
Searches extended to nearby forests and difficult mountain terrain after no one was found inside the powerhouse.
- Changed
Death toll rises to 1,357 in Nepal
Nepal's disaster authority updates the count from 1,294 on Sept. 5 to 1,357 bodies recovered as of Sept. 8, with 5,326 missing.
- New
China reports 43 deaths and 519 missing
China's official tally brings the combined death toll across both countries to at least 1,400 with more than 5,800 missing.
- New
Army estimates 121 workers trapped in hydropower tunnels
The Nepali Army provides a specific estimate of people trapped inside tunnels at various hydropower projects in Rasuwa.
- New
Four rescued alive in last five days
Including a Chinese national rescued from an audit tunnel at Upper Trishuli 1 on Saturday and a 64-year-old woman from Betrawati.
- New
Public anger mounts over search delays
Families and local communities express concern about the pace and prioritization of tunnel rescue operations.
- Changed
Death toll rises to 1,367 in Nepal
Nepal's disaster authority updates the count from 1,357 on Sept. 8 to 1,367 bodies recovered as of Sept. 9.
- New
Army identifies three tunnel focus sites
Nepal Army confirms search operations are concentrated on the Trishuli 3A, 3B and Chilime hydropower project tunnels.
- Changed
Combined death toll reaches 1,410
Multiple outlets report at least 1,410 deaths across Nepal and China, up from 1,400.
- New
Nepal deploys drones for flood relief
Authorities begin using drones to deliver medicines and supplies to communities cut off by landslide damage.
- New
5.0 magnitude earthquake strikes Nepal
A magnitude 5.0 earthquake jolted Nepal amid ongoing flood rescue operations.
- Changed
Missing count revised to 5,651
Up from 5,326 in Nepal and 519 in China reported on Sept. 8.
- New
Fresh air detected in tunnel searches
Rescuers find fresh air during operations at submerged hydropower plant tunnels, raising hopes for trapped workers.
- New
Nepal uses cargo drones for food delivery
For the first time in an emergency operation in Nepal, cargo drones deliver food to communities cut off by landslides.
- New
India sends new relief consignment
India delivers tents, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps, medicines and rescue equipment to flood-hit Nepal.
- New
Damage assessment quantifies energy losses
Rapid assessment shows 13 hydropower projects and five solar plants totaling 783 MW severely damaged across Rasuwa and Nuwakot, with Rs 390.623 billion required for full grid restoration.
- New
917 workers and employees remain missing
Rescue teams are still searching for 917 missing workers and employees nearly two weeks after the disaster.
- Changed
Nepal death toll rises to 1,385
Nepal's disaster agency updates the count from 1,367 on Sept. 9 to 1,385 bodies recovered as of Thursday.
- Changed
Combined death toll reaches 1,428
Multiple outlets report at least 1,428 deaths across Nepal and China, up from 1,410.
- New
Nepal estimates $7 billion reconstruction cost
Authorities project nearly $7 billion will be needed to rebuild after the floods, with at least 12 hydropower projects engulfed in mud and debris and entire villages wiped out.
- New
Cool air pocket detected at Trishuli tunnel
Rescuers searching the underground Trishuli hydropower facility detect a pocket of cool, fresh air toward the top of the five-floor tunnel complex, raising faint hopes for six workers still unaccounted for at the site.
- New
China donates four cargo drones to Nepal
Nepal Army receives four DJI FlyCart 100 cargo drones donated by China to fly food to stranded survivors and recover bodies from areas difficult to access.
- New
Drones conduct 10-16 relief missions daily
The cargo drones have been conducting about 10 to 16 relief runs per day, transporting more than 1,500 kilograms of food and also being used for reconnaissance in flood-hit zones.
- New
Proton donates drones worth RM200,000
Malaysian automaker Proton donates drones worth nearly RM200,000 to support disaster assessment and response efforts.
Claim tracker
17 confirmed
- Confirmed
At least 1,428 people have died across Nepal and China as of September 12, 2026.
ABC News and multiple outlets report combined toll of 1,428 dead (1,385 in Nepal + 43 in China).
2 agreeing - Confirmed
Nepal's disaster agency reported 1,385 bodies recovered as of Thursday, September 12.
ABC News and Reuters cite Nepal's disaster agency with this figure.
2 agreeing - Confirmed
Around 5,130 people remain missing in Nepal as of Thursday.
Malay Mail, ABC News and Reuters all report 5,130 or around 5,130 missing in Nepal.
3 agreeing - Confirmed
China has reported 43 deaths and 519 missing in Tibet.
ABC News cites Chinese state media with these figures.
2 agreeing - Confirmed
More than 5,649 people remain missing across Nepal and China combined.
Malay Mail reports more than 5,650 missing; ABC News reports over 5,649 missing (5,130 + 519).
2 agreeing - Confirmed
Nepal estimates reconstruction will cost nearly $7 billion.
ABC News reports this estimate from Nepal authorities.
1 agreeing - Confirmed
At least 12 hydropower projects were engulfed in mud and debris.
ABC News reports this figure.
1 agreeing - Confirmed
Around 900 power station workers remain missing.
Reuters reports around 900 power station workers still missing.
1 agreeing - Confirmed
Rescuers detected a pocket of cool, fresh air toward the top of the five-floor Trishuli hydropower tunnel complex.
The New York Times reports this detection.
1 agreeing - Confirmed
Six workers remain unaccounted for at the Trishuli hydropower site.
The New York Times reports six workers still unaccounted for at this site.
1 agreeing - Confirmed
Nepal Army is using four DJI FlyCart 100 cargo drones donated by China.
Yahoo News and OneIndia both report four DJI FlyCart 100 drones donated by China.
2 agreeing - Confirmed
The cargo drones have been conducting about 10 to 16 relief runs per day.
Yahoo News and OneIndia both report 10 to 16 relief missions daily.
2 agreeing - Confirmed
The drones have transported more than 1,500 kilograms of food.
Yahoo News reports this total.
1 agreeing - Confirmed
Each drone mission can carry up to 60 kilograms over distances of several kilometers.
OneIndia reports this capacity.
1 agreeing - Confirmed
Malaysian automaker Proton donated drones worth nearly RM200,000 to Nepal.
Business360 Nepal reports this donation.
1 agreeing - Confirmed
The flood killed at least 1,300 people along a 72-kilometer stretch of the Trishuli River.
CNN essay cites this figure for deaths along the river stretch.
1 agreeing - Confirmed
Around 800 foreigners are among the missing.
ABC News reports around 800 foreigners among the more than 5,649 missing.
1 agreeing
What we still don't know
- Are the six workers at the Trishuli site where fresh air was detected still alive?
- How many of the 900 missing power station workers were at Trishuli 3A, 3B, Chilime, and other specific sites?
- What is the breakdown of the $7 billion reconstruction estimate between hydropower, roads, villages, and other infrastructure?
- How many bodies have been recovered using the cargo drones?
- What is China's methodology for counting missing persons, and why do Nepal and China report different figures for the disaster?
- How many of the 800 foreigners reported missing are workers versus tourists or other visitors?
Nepal floods, August 2026
- Death toll reaches 469 as second flood warning continues
- Nepal flood death toll passes 900 as search focuses on hydropower tunnels
- Death toll surpasses 1,000 as rescue efforts continue for trapped hydropower workers
- Nearly 300 workers rescued from flooded hydropower tunnels, 639 still trapped
- Death toll exceeds 1,000 as officials say trapped workers may still be alive
- Death toll rises past 1,200 as rescuers focus on underground chamber where 46 workers may survive
- Two workers rescued alive from tunnel nine days after flood; 93 Rasuwagadhi workers now missing
- Death toll reaches 1,357 in Nepal as army estimates 121 workers remain trapped in hydropower tunnels
- Death toll reaches 1,367 in Nepal as rescue teams focus on Trishuli 3A, 3B and Chilime tunnels
- Missing count revised upward to 5,651 as fresh air detected in hydropower tunnels
- Death toll rises to at least 1,385 as rescue focus narrows to three hydropower tunnels
- Nepal death toll rises to 1,385 as U.S. commits additional $1 million for victim identification
- Nepal revises reconstruction cost to $4.78 billion; India to supply 654 MW to replace flood-damaged hydropower
- Death toll rises to 1,399; India begins 654 MW daily power supply as rescue teams near final stage at Chilime tunnel
- Search operations halted at 10 of 13 damaged hydropower projects as 868 workers remain missing
- Death toll rises to 1,410 in Nepal as missing count jumps to 6,150
- Rescuers recover 11 bodies from Upper Trishuli-1 tunnel; total dead reaches 1,414
- Death toll rises to 1,436 as hydropower tunnels yield 24 bodies in single week
Sources analysed
8 outlets in the analysed roster.
- The New York Times — In Flood-Stricken Nepal, a Cool Gust Carries Hopes of a ...
- Malay Mail — Same Himalayan flood, two truths: How China and Nepal control the story
- Yahoo News — Nepal uses Chinese cargo drones to lift flood victims' bodies, haul food to survivors
- ABC News — Nepal estimates reconstruction after deadly floods to cost nearly $7 ...
- Reuters — Nepal tunnel survivor finds solace in village homecoming
- OneIndia — Nepal Reinvents Relief Operations as Drones Reach Communities Cut Off by Floods
- Business360 Nepal — PROTON donates drones worth nearly RM200,000 for ...
- CNN — Essay: 'I stood and watched a place I loved vanish' | CNN