The death toll from a devastating morning avalanche and flash flood along the Nepal-Tibet border has risen to 160, with over 800 people still reported missing in the affected areas.

The natural disaster struck the Rasuwa district in northern Kathmandu, Nepal's capital, at around 8:30 AM local time on Wednesday, August 26.

According to the latest data provided by Nepal Police, 466 foreign nationals from 28 countries and 113 Nepalese citizens remain missing.

Among the missing foreigners are 54 US nationals and 33 UK nationals. Additionally, 265 people are reported missing in China's Tibet region.

Police stated that rescue operations and searches for the missing are underway alongside the evacuation of residents from vulnerable areas to safe locations. However, with the situation evolving rapidly, the number of casualties and missing persons is expected to rise.

Citing BBC sources, Nepal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Shishir Khanal told parliament that preliminary information indicates the disaster began with an earthquake that triggered a massive glacial avalanche, which instantly turned into a flash flood and crashed into residential areas. He confirmed that the border-adjacent Chinese territory has also been severely impacted.

The Foreign Minister added that extensive damage has occurred on both the Nepalese and Chinese sides, and both countries are working jointly to manage the crisis.

Data gathered so far indicates that 26 Nepal Police personnel, 9 armed police personnel, and 44 army personnel are missing. Several local customs and immigration officials are also among the missing.

The Nepalese Army has deployed the air force and disaster management teams to aid in rescue efforts.

Describing the situation to the BBC, an army spokesperson said the scale of destruction is beyond imagination, marking it as Nepal’s worst natural disaster since the catastrophic 2015 earthquake.

Human settlements in the Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts along the banks of the Bhote Koshi River have suffered the heaviest damage.

Mountainous roads serving as vital trade routes, hydroelectric projects, and multiple major bridges have completely collapsed, posing a major challenge for rescuers attempting to deliver relief supplies to the remote, cut-off areas.