CHRISTIAN LEADERS CALL FOR PRAYER AND AID AFTER NEPAL–TIBET FLASH FLOODS

KATHMANDU — Church leaders around the world have offered condolences and called for prayer following flash floods that struck the Nepal–Tibet border region on Wednesday, 26 August 2026. The disaster killed hundreds of people and left hundreds more missing.

The floods arrived without warning, destroying homes, roads and bridges on both sides of the border. Tourists, pilgrims and local residents remain unaccounted for. The disaster is believed to have been triggered by the partial collapse of a glacier, which released water, mud and debris into valley communities.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, said she was praying for bereaved families and for those still waiting for news. She described the conditions faced by rescue teams as extremely difficult, and said she was also praying for the injured and for the medical staff treating them.

Pope Leo XIV expressed deep sorrow in a telegram signed on his behalf by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The message conveyed prayers for grieving families and for search-and-rescue teams, along with an assurance of the Pope’s spiritual closeness to those affected.

American evangelist Franklin Graham urged Christians to pray for people in the region and for families awaiting news of relatives, describing footage circulating from the disaster as deeply disturbing.

The Catholic Church in Nepal is preparing an emergency response. Fr Silas Krishna Bogati, apostolic administrator of the Nepal vicariate, said the Church and the aid agency Caritas were assessing needs before distributing assistance.

Speaking to the Catholic outlet Crux Now, Fr Bogati said 25 Catholic families in the affected area were reported safe. A priest, Fr James Britto, was left stranded after crossing a river to celebrate Mass and has been unable to return to his mission station because roads and bridges were destroyed. Fr Bogati said casualties in the area were very high.

Casualty and missing-persons figures remain provisional and may change as search operations continue. No official statements from Nepali or Chinese authorities were included in this initial report.