28/08/2026
According to information received so far through various news channels and the relevant Tibetan Settlement Office in Nepal, the flash flood that struck the Lha-Dep-Phu (Lhende river) on the Tibet-Nepal border caused major destruction — sweeping away large numbers of homes along the river’s course in Kyirong, Tibet and in Rasuwa district, Nepal. Over 1500 people are reported dead, injured, or missing, resulting in massive devastation.
Footage from security cameras and personal video clips circulating through media channels shows that in a single location- Kyirong (border) Gate alone- the flood swept away houses and hundreds of people in an instant. After concealing the number of casualties for a day, the Chinese government today reported 3 deaths, 558 people missing or unaccounted, of whom approximately 260 are said to be foreign nationals in Tibet — though detailed information remains unclear.
Within the jurisdiction of the Nepal-based Sha-Wa-Ra Sum Tibetan Settlement Office, the Nepalese government has recognised the Shabru settlement, nearby Shabru market, and Timure on the Kyirong border as the areas that suffered the greatest damage from this flood.
In the region, there are five scattered Tibetan settlements/communities:
At Rasuwa Gegayling settlement, the flood swept away all 11 households. The two elderly residents who lived there are missing. At Shabru market, 2 homes were completely swept away. Of the residents, 1 person died, and 3 others are missing.
At Timure, 2 Tibetan households comprising 6 people are missing.
In the areas of Tengpoche, 4. Khangjim, and 5. Briddim, all 6 households are situated on higher ground and hence suffered no damage.
This morning, reports say the Nepalese government had been able to rescue 6 Tibetans. This information is currently being verified.
Nepal has suffered widespread devastation, leaving at least 165 people dead and 826 others missing as of now.
This devastating flood has left a total of more than 1,500 people from Tibet and Nepal dead or missing, including more than 800 foreign nationals affected.
For more than five decades, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has repeatedly issued guidance on the need to protect the global environment in general, and Tibet’s natural environment in particular. Despite the continuous efforts of the Central Tibetan Administration to draw the attention of the international community to Tibet’s environment, only a small number of environmental protection organisations have responded, and it remains rare for the relevant countries to express the necessary degree of concern.
On the Tibetan plateau, the Chinese government has been carrying out various environmentally destructive activities under the pretext of development, causing temperatures to rise at a doubled rate. These days, the Chinese government is openly and relentlessly expanding projects across the Himalayan range, justified as “green” energy sources — including construction of reservoirs and dams, solar power projects, and railway-linking projects. These irresponsible actions are inflicting severe harm on humanity as a whole. This is not a time to remain silent in the face of circumstances that could lead to even graver dangers ahead.
Today, from Ladakh, His Holiness the Dalai Lama offered prayers for those affected by the flood disaster in Tibet and Nepal. His Holiness urged that the region’s natural environment be protected and cared for in ensuring such disasters do not recur in the future.
The Central Tibetan Administration extends its deep condolences and expresses solidarity with all those affected — both living and deceased — by this flood disaster. At this prayer service held today at Thekchen Choeling Temple, we pray for the injured to recover swiftly, the deceased to attain liberation, and the loved ones to be freed from their sufferings.
The Central Tibetan Administration has instructed the relevant offices and individuals to carry out emergency relief work without delay.
Likewise, to assist the Central Tibetan Administration’s relief efforts for those affected in the Tibetan residential areas within the Sha-Wa-Ra Sum Tibetan settlement, and to express solidarity and condolences with the government and people of Nepal, we appeal to the Tibetans in exile to make voluntary contributions through their respective Offices of Tibet and the Tibetan Settlement Offices.
The Kashag
August 27, 2026
