Nepal Floods: Search Efforts and Aid Continue Amidst Further Threats

A young boy receives assistance from a woman to place a photograph of her missing relative on a wall. This wall bears photos of missing and deceased persons displayed outside a government hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal on Sunday, August 30, 2026.

The Nepal-China border towns face potential threats from further mudslides. Authorities continue their search for over 2,400 missing individuals, including many U.S. citizens, following the recent devastating floods.

Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai reported on Sunday that 734 bodies have been recovered just days after nearly 30-foot waves swept through mountain valleys. The Red Cross estimated over 90,000 people affected by the floods.

Thousands of rescue workers are deployed by Nepal. Individuals are still being found alive during this time. As of Sunday morning, according to U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, 85 Americans remain unaccounted for.

We’ve also now seen nine Americans be safely evacuated. We are currently unaware of any U.S. citizen deaths at this time.

This statement comes from Pigott during an interview with ABC News. Americans missing include tourists, hikers, and pilgrims destined for Mount Kailash, a revered site in Tibet, China. Mount Kailash holds spiritual importance for multiple faiths.

Divya Chandrashekar informed NPR about her brother-in-law, Ragu Rajan, and his wife, Archana Suresh. The couple from Murphy, Texas planned the trip for a year. They began their journey in Kathmandu on August 25 and were crossing the border when the flooding occurred.

Their last location was near the Gyirong Port border post the morning of the disaster. The Bhote Koshi River obliterated the border checkpoint and Friendship Bridge. Security footage from China’s CCTV showed mud and water crashing into buildings.

Chandrashekar described Rajan and Suresh as spiritual, nature-loving, trekking enthusiasts, and excellent parents. The couple intended to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary in November.

Shreya Ahuja, residing in North Carolina, recounted her interaction with her parents, Deepak and Madhu Ahuja, prior to the flooding. Both are U.S. citizens and Dallas small business owners. They completed the pilgrimage for her father’s 60th birthday.

Shreya said she tried contacting them but initially felt unconcerned about the chance of danger at their specific location.

Recent drone footage shows rescue workers examining areas impacted by flash floods along Trishuli River in Nepal on Saturday, August 29.

Pigott discussed the U.S. State Department’s intensified support to U.S. embassies in Beijing and Kathmandu. An activation of $3.6 million in emergency aid is underway.

The aid includes emergency food relief for 10,000 households over three months. Catholic Relief Services has distributed the initial half million dollars. Senthil Kumar Gurunathan, South Asia representative, noted challenges in delivering aid due to obstructed roads.

Gurunathan stressed urgent needs like food, water, clothing, hygiene products, and mental health resources. Many survivors lost everything and fled for safety.

We are trying to find alternative routes, safer roads, to deliver life-saving supplies.

The first wave of U.S. assistance reached Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts last weekend, according to the U.S. Embassy. Supplies included blankets, mosquito nets, insulating sheets, and 2.5 tons of food.

Authorities in Nepal warn of further flooding risks due to ongoing monsoon rains. The U.S. Embassy in Nepal reported potential heavy rain in central Nepal through Tuesday, September 1.

This rainfall may cause flash flooding, debris flows, landslides, riverbank erosion, and further interruptions to roads, flights, and rescue operations.

NPR journalists Steve Inskeep and Majd Al-Waheidi contributed to the report.