Grave fears are held for hundreds of people missing after flash floods swept through mountainous parts of Nepal and Tibet.The death toll has already risen to a reported 160, as a Nepali tourism official says dozens of Australians are among those unaccounted-for for in the Himalayan region popular with tourists.Follow live.PinnedKey EventThu 27 Aug 2026 at 6:54amThu 27 Aug 2026 at 6:54amCCTV footage shows people fleeing border crossing before flood hitsCollapse all postsFilter PostsAll13Key Events7Thu 27 Aug 2026 at 7:30amThu 27 Aug 2026 at 7:30amPenny Wong mourns 'devastating' loss of life in Himalayan floodsBy Andrew ThorpeAustralian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has issued a brief statement reiterating that DFAT is working to confirm the status of Australians possibly affected by the Himalayan floods."The loss of life and destruction caused by flash flooding in Nepal and China is devastating," she says."Our thoughts are with the loved ones of those killed or missing and all affected by this disaster. DFAT officials are urgently working to confirm the welfare of Australians in the area."Thu 27 Aug 2026 at 7:24amThu 27 Aug 2026 at 7:24amNepalese PM urges nation to 'stand together' in wake of floodsBy Andrew ThorpeNepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah has urged his fellow Nepalis to stay united as the death toll from yesterday's flash flooding rises."The pain and loss you have suffered is not small. But I want to assure you that you are not alone in this difficult time — the state is with you with all its means and resources," he wrote on social media."Please be patient. The government takes full responsibility for your rescue, treatment, food and shelter. In times of such a disaster, we all need to stand together."Mr Shah, a rapper-turned-politician, was elected in March on the back of a wave of frustration with decades of political instability and corruption in the small Himalayan nation.India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier said he had spoken to Mr Shah to offer condolences and aid with rescue efforts."The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time," Mr Modi said in a statement."India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Our teams are coordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts."Key EventThu 27 Aug 2026 at 7:12amThu 27 Aug 2026 at 7:12am'Entire villages' wiped out by flash flood, Red Cross saysBy Andrew ThorpeDavid Fisher, the Nepal delegation head for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), says "entire villages and market areas have been wiped out" by yesterday's flash flood."These floods have been devastating. Nepal Red Cross teams are on site providing shelter, food and water," he says.IFRC CEO Jagan Chapagain has announced the international organisation will release emergency funds totalling 997,000 Swiss Francs (about $1.73 million) to bolster the Nepal Red Cross's local efforts."The scale of destruction is severe: homes swept away, roads and bridges damaged, and critical infrastructure disrupted. The humanitarian impacts are significant and still unfolding," he says."My thoughts, solidarity, and full support are with all those affected, and with the volunteers responding under extremely challenging conditions."Key EventThu 27 Aug 2026 at 6:57amThu 27 Aug 2026 at 6:57amDFAT confirms 'a number of Australians in the area'By Andrew ThorpeThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has issued a statement extending its "deepest sympathies" to those affected by the flood, and reiterating that Australians in the area should follow the advice of local authorities."We are aware of a number of Australians in the area and Australian officials are urgently working to confirm their welfare," the statement says."We are liaising with local authorities as well as tour operators."We stand ready to provide consular assistance."Australians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135, or +61 2 6261 3305 (if calling from overseas)."Thu 27 Aug 2026 at 6:52amThu 27 Aug 2026 at 6:52amLatest images from flooding along the Trishuli RiverBy Jacqueline HowardKey EventThu 27 Aug 2026 at 6:50amThu 27 Aug 2026 at 6:50amExperts warn of possible second flood due to river blockageBy Andrew ThorpeThe International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, an intergovernmental body set up by the eight countries in the Himalayan region, has issued a warning that a second flood may be on the cards.Qianggong Zhang, the centre's head of climate and environmental risks, told the Agence France-Presse wire service that "a blockage still lodged upstream on the Nepal-China border river" means water levels could begin to rise again.Authorities in India's Bihar state have begun evacuating up to 12,000 people from six districts, fearing further floods in that region.Thu 27 Aug 2026 at 6:39amThu 27 Aug 2026 at 6:39amAustralian embassy urges citizens to follow advice of Nepali authoritiesBy Andrew ThorpeThe Australian embassy in Nepal has issued a joint statement, alongside the embassies of other nations, encouraging foreign citizens in the affected areas to follow the guidance and safety advice of local authorities."Our thoughts are with all those affected by this disaster," the statement said."We express our solidarity with the people of Nepal during this difficult time."Key EventThu 27 Aug 2026 at 6:36amThu 27 Aug 2026 at 6:36amWhat caused the Himalayan flash flood?By Andrew ThorpeThere are conflicting reports as to what was likely the primary cause of the flash flooding, but a picture is beginning to emerge.Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal initially told the country's parliament an earthquake had triggered an avalanche, which caused the sudden flooding of the Bhote Koshi river in Nepal's Rasuwa district.The German Research Centre for Geosciences said there was a magnitude-4.4 quake just minutes before the water struck border communities.Climate experts at the Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, however, said a collapsing glacier on the Nepali side of the border was likely the primary cause, blocking the river then releasing a sudden surge downstream.The same region also saw flash floods in August last year, when a glacial lake in Tibet overflowed because of high temperatures.Nepal's disaster authority is now saying satellite data indicates a "snow-rock landslide" on the border triggered the flood, which would be consistent with both glacier melt and an earthquake as a triggering event.Glaciers across the Hindu Kush Himalaya region are melting at an accelerating rate due to climate change, with ice loss rates doubling since 2000.Reporting with Reuters, APThu 27 Aug 2026 at 6:03amThu 27 Aug 2026 at 6:03amAerial footage shows devastation caused by Himalayan flash floodBy Andrew ThorpeKey EventThu 27 Aug 2026 at 5:53amThu 27 Aug 2026 at 5:53amDeath toll rises to at least 160, according to police, state mediaBy Andrew ThorpePolice in Nepal are reporting at least 157 bodies have been recovered on the Nepalese side of the border, with hundreds of people still missing.A Nepali police spokesman has told The Associated Press at least 28 police officials are among those unaccounted for.On the Tibetan side of the border, in Gyirong County, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV is reporting at least three people are dead and 265 are missing.Key EventThu 27 Aug 2026 at 5:48amThu 27 Aug 2026 at 5:48am34 Australians among missing, Nepali tourism official saysBy Andrew ThorpeA Nepali tourism official says 403 people, including 341 foreign nationals, have been reported missing since the flash flood struck the Nepal-Tibet border.A list provided by Sunil Sharma, a tourism board spokesman, puts the number of missing Australians at 34.Also missing are 133 people from India who were on a pilgrimage to a Hindu sacred site, as well as 47 Americans, 33 Brits and 24 Canadians.Eight South Korean citizens who were working on a hydropower plant in the region are also unaccounted for.We're working to confirm the number of missing Australians. DFAT is yet to respond to a request for comment.Thu 27 Aug 2026 at 5:30amThu 27 Aug 2026 at 5:30amWelcome to our live blogBy Andrew ThorpeGood morning. We're launching a blog to cover the aftermath of a massive flash flood at the border between Nepal and Tibet.Stay with us as we bring you updates throughout the day.