Nepal-Tibet Flash Flood (26 Aug 2026) – Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Route
A glacial outburst surge along the Bhotekoshi / Lhende Khola struck the Rasuwa-Gyirong border corridor. 47-54 US and 34 Australian tourists reported missing, most likely along the Yatra route crossing at Rasuwagadhi / Gyirong Port.
Likely locations of Australian & American nationals reported missing
Primary Route – Kailash Mansarovar Yatra (most likely location for majority of missing tourists)
Kathmandu to Dhunche to Syabru Besi to Rasuwagadhi (28.28N, 85.38E) to Gyirong Port (28.28N, 85.38E) to Saga (29.33N, 85.23E) to Darchen (30.68N, 81.32E) to Mount Kailash (31.07N, 81.31E) to Lake Mansarovar (30.65N, 81.45E).
The flood struck the Rasuwa-Gyirong border corridor where this route crosses from Nepal into Tibet. Tourists would most likely have been in the vicinity of Rasuwagadhi / Gyirong Port (28.28N, 85.38E) or transiting through Syabru Besi (28.16N, 85.34E) and Timure (28.25N, 85.39E) when the Bhotekoshi / Lhende Khola surge hit.
Note: the map’s “Gyirong County (border zone)” marker sits in the southern border zone near Gyirong Port where the flood hit. The 265+ missing were in this border zone.
Secondary Route – Gosaikunda Trek
Dhunche (28.09N, 85.29E) to Syabru Besi (28.16N, 85.34E) to Gosaikunda Lake (28.08N, 85.42E). 62+ Nepali citizens were trekking here during the Janai Purnima festival; some foreign trekkers may also have been present.
Key Flood Trigger Points
- Bhotekoshi River / Lhende Khola: Glacial ice-rock avalanche blocked the river, releasing a sudden surge downstream.
- Trishuli River: Water levels rose by as much as 9 metres in 30 minutes through Nuwakot district.
