By Faith Eze
Nepal Flash Floods Death Toll Rises as Rescue Efforts Continue
Nepal is continuing to deal with the devastating effects of massive flash floods that have killed more than 1,200 people and left thousands of others missing. According to a report published by India Today on September 4, 2026, the death toll had reached 1,295, while rescue teams continued searching for people who were still unaccounted for. At the same time, a remarkable development brought a small amount of hope to the disaster: two workers were rescued alive after spending nine days trapped inside a hydropower tunnel.
The disaster began on August 26, 2026, when an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border triggered enormous amounts of water, mud and debris. The floodwaters moved through river systems and affected communities in several parts of northern and central Nepal. Homes, roads, bridges and important infrastructure were badly damaged. The Nepalese government said the search and rescue operation was still continuing on September 4, with the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force working together. International teams from countries including India, China and South Korea have also been assisting with tunnel rescue operations.
One of the most heartbreaking parts of the disaster is the large number of people who remain missing. Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on September 4 that about 5,083 people were still missing, including approximately 600 foreign nationals from 35 countries. The government also reported that more than 13,000 people had been rescued. These numbers continue to change as authorities search affected communities, identify victims and receive new information from families.
Two Workers Rescued After Nine Days
Amid the destruction, the rescue of two workers from the Trishuli 3A hydropower project has become a powerful story of hope. The two men, identified as Sanjay Sah and Kabir Maharjan, were found alive inside a tunnel nine days after the flood struck. Reports said they were located around 170 metres inside the tunnel. Their rescue came after emergency teams continued working through difficult conditions to reach people believed to be trapped underground.
Sanjay Sah, 30, was described as a mechanical foreman, while Kabir Maharjan, 45, was a mechanical supervisor. Their survival surprised rescue teams because they had remained underground for so many days after floodwater and debris blocked access to parts of the project. The two men were eventually brought out and taken for medical treatment. Their successful rescue has also increased hopes that other people trapped in tunnels may still be alive.
Rescue Teams Race Against Time
The rescue operation has been extremely difficult. Floodwater, thick mud, damaged infrastructure and debris have made it dangerous for rescuers to reach some areas. According to the Nepal government, specialist teams from India, China and South Korea are working alongside the Nepal Army. Drones, rescue equipment, heavy machinery and other specialised tools are being used to search for survivors.
The situation around hydropower projects is especially serious. Reports indicate that hundreds of workers may still be trapped or missing across several hydropower sites. The Indian Express reported that around 900 workers were missing from 12 hydropower projects, with roughly 500 believed to be trapped inside tunnels. At the Trishuli 3A site, rescuers had reason to believe that more people could still be alive after making contact with people inside.
A Disaster That Has Destroyed Communities
The floods have caused much more than loss of life. Entire communities have been affected, while roads and bridges have been destroyed and electricity and communication services disrupted. The Nepal government said the disaster caused extensive damage to houses, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other important infrastructure. Initial government assessments put the total physical and economic losses at about NPR 387.54 billion, or roughly US$2.6 billion.
Thousands of survivors now need food, clean water, medical care and temporary shelter. The government has been working to restore roads, electricity and telecommunications so that relief supplies can reach affected communities. Holding centres have also been established for people who have been displaced by the disaster. The scale of the emergency means that Nepal will likely need significant assistance as it moves from rescue operations into long-term recovery and reconstruction.
Families Still Waiting for Answers
For families of missing people, the rescue operation is about more than statistics. Many are still waiting for news about their loved ones. Some bodies recovered from the flood have not yet been identified, making the situation even more painful for relatives. Authorities have been collecting DNA samples to help identify victims and return them to their families.
The rescue of Sah and Maharjan has therefore brought an important message to families still waiting: survival is still possible. Their discovery after nine days has encouraged rescue teams to continue searching tunnels and other dangerous areas rather than giving up. Officials and rescuers are continuing their work while hoping to find more people alive.
Hope Amid a National Tragedy
The Nepal flash floods have created one of the country's most serious recent humanitarian emergencies. With the death toll reaching 1,295 according to India Today's report, thousands still missing and communities facing enormous destruction, the country remains in a race against time.
Yet the rescue of two workers after nine days has provided a rare moment of hope during a terrible disaster. It demonstrates the importance of continued rescue efforts and the determination of emergency workers who are risking their lives to save others. As search teams continue working through damaged tunnels, rivers and communities, Nepal's immediate priority remains finding survivors, caring for those who have been rescued and supporting families who have lost loved ones.
The tragedy is far from over, but the successful rescue of Sanjay Sah and Kabir Maharjan has shown that even after days of darkness and uncertainty, there can still be a chance for life. Nepal now faces the difficult task of continuing the search while beginning the long journey toward recovery and rebuilding.
