The death toll from the August 26 Himalayan floods has climbed to 1,066, with 1,050 fatalities in Nepal and 16 in Tibet. Authorities report that 4,462 people remain missing, including 3,916 in Nepal and 546 in Tibet. Rescue teams have shifted their focus to underground hydropower tunnels, as officials warn that finding survivors in open areas is now highly unlikely.
Search operations are currently concentrated on 11 hydropower projects where hundreds of workers were potentially trapped inside tunnels. Rescuers face significant obstacles, including collapsed sections, thick slurry, and blocked passages that have hindered access to underground chambers. While thermal drones have detected no signs of life in some areas, experts suggest that protected pockets of air within these structures remain the only viable hope for finding survivors.
International support continues as Indian specialist teams and Chinese tunnel experts assist the Nepalese army in clearing debris. India has reported 275 missing nationals and 128 persons of Indian origin, with 158 citizens rescued as of Monday night. Despite the grim conditions and the passage of seven days, officials have stated that search efforts will continue.
