On August 26th, heavy rains submerged valleys in Nepal and Tibet, causing sudden floods that killed 1,318 people, left 5,614 missing, and affected over 80,000. Local authorities declared a state of emergency as rescue teams struggle to access isolated areas where roads are cut off and bridges washed away. This disaster is part of a series of extreme events raising questions about the vulnerability of high mountain populations to climate change.
Floods of August 26th: Extent and key figures
Floods affected several districts in southern Nepal, including Janakpur and Dhanusha regions, as well as the Brahmaputra plain in Tibet. Early estimates show over 12,000 homes destroyed or severely damaged, leaving thousands of families homeless. Emergency services evacuated nearly 30,000 people to temporary shelters, but needs for clean water, food, and medical care remain critical. Nepalese authorities estimate direct economic losses to exceed tens of millions of dollars.
In the Yarlung Tsangpo river basin, Tibetan villages suffered landslides triggered by rapid water rise. Local authorities report the loss of over 500,000 tons of agricultural infrastructure, exacerbating the precarious food crisis. Satellite data from Copernicus shows a near 1,200 km² increase in flooded area in less than 24 hours, a rare phenomenon for this time of year. ECMWF predictive models, integrated into the UN OCHA monitoring platform, were deployed to anticipate risk zones and guide rescue teams.