New Delhi, Aug 2026 : Apple CEO Tim Cook on Friday expressed solidarity with people affected by the devastating flash floods and mudslides along the Nepal-Tibet border and announced that the technology giant would make a donation to support relief and reconstruction efforts.
The disaster has caused widespread destruction across parts of Nepal, damaging villages, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other critical infrastructure. The floods were triggered after an ice-rock avalanche in the Himalayan region caused a sudden surge of water and debris into the transboundary Bhote Koshi River system.
Taking to social media platform X, Cook said Apple was standing with those affected by the tragedy and confirmed that the company would contribute towards relief operations.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragic flash floods and mudslides in Nepal and Tibet. Apple is making a donation to support relief and rebuilding efforts on the ground,” Cook said.
Apple has not disclosed the amount of the contribution or identified the organisations through which the funds will be distributed. The announcement comes as Nepal continues to deal with the devastating aftermath of the natural disaster and intensifies search, rescue and relief operations in several affected areas.
The flash floods followed the collapse of part of a Himalayan glacier and a subsequent ice-rock avalanche in the Tibetan region. The debris temporarily obstructed the river before the blockage gave way, releasing a massive volume of water and mud downstream.
The resulting floodwaters swept through settlements and severely damaged infrastructure along the Bhote Koshi and other river systems. Roads and bridges were washed away, while hydropower installations and other essential facilities also suffered extensive damage.
The human toll has continued to rise, with hundreds of people reported dead and many others displaced or still missing. More than 800 people have reportedly remained unaccounted for, including local residents, security personnel and tourists.
The disaster has also affected foreign nationals, including Indian citizens who were visiting Nepal. Authorities have been conducting extensive search and rescue operations to locate missing people and evacuate those stranded in remote or inaccessible areas.
Helicopters have been deployed to rescue stranded residents and tourists and transport essential food, medicines and other emergency supplies to communities cut off by damaged roads and bridges.
The Indian Embassy in Nepal has also issued emergency contact numbers for Indian nationals affected by the disaster. More than 100 Indians were initially reported missing from the affected region, although officials have continued to verify information and update the figures as rescue operations progress.
The Nepal government has declared severely affected areas as disaster crisis-hit zones and launched a coordinated response aimed at rescuing stranded people, providing immediate relief and restoring damaged infrastructure.
The scale of the destruction has prompted support from neighbouring countries and international organisations. India and China, along with international institutions, have indicated their willingness to assist Nepal with rescue, relief and longer-term reconstruction efforts.
Cook's announcement adds Apple to the growing list of organisations and institutions extending support to communities affected by the disaster. The company's contribution is expected to assist ongoing humanitarian operations as Nepal begins the difficult process of rebuilding roads, bridges, public facilities and other essential infrastructure.
With rescue teams continuing to search for missing people and thousands affected by the floods, authorities face a major challenge in reaching remote communities and restoring basic services. The focus remains on saving lives, providing emergency assistance and supporting displaced families while assessment of the full extent of the destruction continues.
