1 Filipino missing in Nepal flash flood —Nepal Tourism Board

One Filipino is reportedly missing after a deadly flash flood struck Nepal, according to the Nepal Tourism Board.

According to its Situation Update-3 released on Thursday, the missing Filipino is among the 644 missing people following the flash flood.

"Following the devastating flash flood in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli River in Rasuwa. Nuwakot, Dhading and Gorkha at around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday 26th August 2026, Ministry of Culture ,Tourism and Civil Aviation, Government of Nepal, Nepal Tourism Board, Tourist Police and tourism stakeholders are working to verify the whereabouts and safety status of tourists and travelers who were at or travelling through the affected areas," the situation report said.

It added that all efforts are underway to rescue or evacuate the injured and stranded people.

"A preliminary agency-wise record received from trekking and travel companies has identified 644 travelers, including 127 Nepali nationals, who were reported missing from the affected area. The information is being verified and cross-checked in coordination with travel agencies, guides, local authorities, and security agencies," the report also said.

It added that the riverbanks of the four districts along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers are severely damaged, with other areas being unaffected.

A massive flash flood devastated the border of Nepal and Tibet on August 26, Wednesday, killing at least a hundred people, with hundreds more still missing.

Rescue efforts have been difficult for authorities, with the waters too high for helicopters to land in the affected areas of Syapru Besi and Timure in the mountainous district of Rasuwa in Nepal. The area had about 50,000 residents.

In a Super Radyo dzBB Interview, Consul General in New Delhi, India Maria Cynthia Pelayo said they are seeking more information about the reported missing Filipinos from the Nepali authorities.

“Nung lumabas yung info, Congen sa Kathmandu agad nag-request ng audience sa home minister to get info sa nawawala,” Pelayo said.

(When the information came out, our consul general in Kathmandu immediately requested a meeting with the Minister of Home Affairs of Nepal, Sudan Gurung to obtain information about the missing person.)

“We presume na dahil galing sa Nepal Tourism Board that the person is a tourist,” she added.

She added that the consul coordinated with the Filipino community after the flash flood occurred.

“Kahapon, nung lumabas ang balita, agad nakipag-ugnayan sa Filipino community in Nepal. We asked kung may nawawwala; sabi nila, 'We're ok’,” Pelayo said.

(Yesterday, when the news came out, we immediately reached out to the Filipino community in Nepal. We asked if anyone was missing, and they said, ‘We’re okay.’)

There are about 300 Filipinos in Nepal, the majority of whom are married to Nepali nationals, according to Pelayo.

Earlier on Thursday, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Philippine government is coordinating with Nepalese authorities and the Filipino community to determine whether any Filipinos were affected by the disaster.

Citing figures from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Castro said there are 18 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Nepal.

The DFA, meanwhile, has recorded 128 Filipinos in the country, most of whom are women married to Nepalese locals.

GMA News Online has reached out anew to the DFA for an update.

The Nepal Tourism Board said a preliminary agency-wide record received by trekking and travel companies has identified 644 travelers, of which 127 are Nepali nationals.

Meanwhile, the remaining 517 travelers came from the following countries:

Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and United States of America.

The Nepal Tourism Board said the information is being verified and cross-checked in coordination with travel agencies, guides, local authorities, and security agencies.

For emergencies, the public is advised to contact the following contact details:

• Toll-free emergency number 1234

• Hotline Number: 1144

•Tourist Police: 9851289445

—LDF, GMA News