Nepal flood death toll surpasses 600, with more than 3,000 missing, as poor weather hampers rescues

August 29, 2026 / 2:50 AM EDT

/ CBS/AP

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The death toll from Wednesday's devastating flash floods in Nepal and along the border with China has risen above 600, with around 3,000 people still missing, as rescue operations entered their fourth day.Poor weather is currently hampering aerial rescue operations for the workers and military personnel who have been working around the clock since Wednesday to find survivors in the mud. Brig. Gen. Raja Ram Basnet, a Nepali Army spokesperson, said Saturday that helicopter operations were on hold until weather conditions improved.Basnet said authorities believe more than 100 people are trapped in a tunnel filled with thick mud at a hydropower construction site in Nepal's Rasuwa district. In a video from the scene, rescuers pulled and push a man covered in dark brown mud out of the tunnel. He was one of dozens who were likely trapped inside. A helicopter carrying a basket was used to reach some people but the operation was slowed down by the 4 to 5 feet of mud and limited landing areas.

An Aerial view shows debris and mud covering settlements following flash floods on August 28, 2026 in DevGhat village, Nepal.