The catastrophic flash floods in Nepal have led to a devastating death toll of 1,344 as of Saturday, according to officials, with nearly 4,900 people reported missing. The floods, which struck various districts, were triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26.
The Nepalese National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported that over 13,000 individuals have been rescued from affected regions. The sudden surge in water levels devastated areas along the Bhotekoshi River and its tributaries, leading to extensive damage to infrastructure including homes, vehicles, roads, and hydropower projects.
Rescue teams have been tirelessly recovering bodies from multiple districts, with authorities confirming the identification of 758 adults and 85 children among the deceased. Many bodies have shown signs of severe deterioration, likely due to prolonged water exposure and heavy debris.
1,030 bodies have been temporarily buried after required protocols were followed, including DNA collection and verification. Chitwan district has seen the highest recovery numbers, with approximately 360 bodies retrieved there alone. Additional bodies were found across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Tanahun, and both East and West Nawalparasi.
Among the missing, over 600 children are unaccounted for in the hard-hit Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts. Rescue operations have shifted focus to monitoring water levels in major rivers such as Koshi, Narayani, and Bagmati to prevent further calamities.
As the search and rescue operations enter their 11th day, joint teams led by the Nepal Army are combing through the most affected zones. Notable efforts include focusing on hydropower projects where hundreds of workers remain trapped. Assistance has come from rescue experts from India and China, enhancing the operational capacity of the Nepalese team.
On Friday, rescue teams successfully pulled two men alive from a tunnel at the Trishuli 3A hydropower project. Nepal Army officials identified them as Kabir Maharjan, 45, a mechanical supervisor, and Sanjay Sah, 30, a foreman.
In a significant collaborative effort, an Indian rescue team facilitated the creation of a temporary access track within the Chilime tunnel in Rasuwa, which has enabled heavier rescue equipment to penetrate deeper into the affected sections.
The floods have also caused significant disaster repercussions in neighboring regions, with at least 21 lives lost on the Chinese side. Reports indicate that more than 500 individuals remain missing in Tibet.
Ongoing operations have taken place with authorities recovering more bodies, assessing river levels, and intensifying rescue efforts in some of Nepal’s hardest-hit locales. The grim scenario calls for ongoing support and efficient management to recover those still in peril.
