KATHMANDU: The number of Nepali and foreign nationals reported missing in the Rasuwa flash flood has risen to 644, according to the latest situation update issued by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) on Thursday.

The NTB's latest list, updated as of 12 noon on August 27, shows 517 foreign nationals and 127 Nepali nationals among those still reported missing following Wednesday's sudden flash flood in the Bhote Koshi River corridor.

The latest figure is an increase of 160 from the NTB's previous update, which had identified 484 missing tourists and travellers—391 foreign nationals and 93 Nepalis.

Indian nationals constitute the largest group, with 178 reported missing, followed by nationals of the United States (65), Ukraine (53), Malaysia (51), Australia (35) and the United Kingdom (33). Canada has 25 nationals on the missing list, while Germany has eight and Singapore nine.

The latest country-wise breakdown is:

• India: 178
• USA: 65
• Ukraine: 53
• Malaysia: 51
• Canada: 25
• Australia: 35
• United Kingdom: 33
• Germany: 8
• Russia: 8
• South Africa: 6
• Japan: 5
• France: 4
• Belgium: 3
• Spain: 3
• Italy: 2
• Ireland: 2
• Netherlands: 2
• Kazakhstan: 2
• Portugal: 2
• Finland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Philippines, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland: 1 each
• Nepal: 127

The NTB said the figures are being compiled in coordination with ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Nepal Tourism Board,,  Tourist Police, travel agencies, guides, local authorities and security agencies, and should be treated as a preliminary record while verification continues.

The update comes as the tourism sector remains deeply affected by the flash flood that struck the Bhote Koshi corridor in Rasuwa at around 8:30 am on Wednesday. The flood entered Nepal from the Tibetan side and swept through areas including Timure and Syabrubesi before affecting downstream sections of the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers.

The disaster has disrupted major tourism and transport routes, including the Galchhi–Nuwakot–Rasuwa–Syabrubesi road, while authorities have advised tourists and travellers to avoid rivers, riverbanks, bridges and low-lying areas and postpone travel to affected destinations until conditions are declared safe.

The flood also struck during the Janai Purnima pilgrimage season, when thousands of pilgrims travel towards Gosainkunda, a major religious and trekking destination at an altitude of about 4,380 metres.

The Himalayan Rescue Association Nepal has deployed a medical team to its temporary health camp at Gosainkunda, while Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) and Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA) have deployed veteran mountain guides including IFMGA guides to the disaster area in Rasuwa for search and rescue operation. 

The Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, supported by local residents, have mobilised for the search and rescue operation. Helicopters, drones and trained sniffer dogs are being used to locate missing and stranded people and assist with evacuation and relief operations.

The government has also declared flood-affected local units in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and other affected districts as disaster crisis zones for three months.

The NTB has urged tourists and travel operators to rely on verified information from government agencies, security authorities, Tourist Police and responsible tourism businesses rather than unverified information circulating on social media.

For emergency assistance, the NTB has listed 1234 as the toll-free emergency number, 1144 as the government hotline and 9851289445 for Tourist Police.