Nepal flood death toll exceeds 700, with more than 3,000 missing, as poor weather hampers rescues

Updated on: August 30, 2026 / 1:16 AM EDT / CBS/AP

Nepal flood death toll exceeds 700, with more than 3,000 missing, as poor weather hampers rescues

TL;DR

  • The death toll from flash floods in Nepal and China has reached 750, with approximately 3,000 people still missing.
  • Rescue operations are in their fourth day, but are significantly hindered by poor weather and challenging terrain.
  • Over 100 workers are believed to be trapped in tunnels at hydropower projects, with specialized international teams assisting rescue efforts.
  • Authorities have issued warnings of further rising flood waters due to a new lake formed in the Himalayan mountains.
  • The U.S. has pledged over $3.6 million in humanitarian aid to Nepal.
  • Families are anxiously searching for missing loved ones at relief centers and hospitals.
  • The floods are believed to have been caused by a bedrock collapse under a glacier, registering as a seismic event.
  • Climate scientists warn that such events may become more frequent due to rapid warming in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region.
  • Americans are among the missing, with some involved in a pilgrimage run by the Isha Foundation.
  • Nepal's foreign minister is calling for a global crackdown on climate change.