Nepal Flood Death Toll Tops 900 as More Than 4,200 Remain Missing
Kathmandu — The death toll from devastating floods in Nepal has risen to 903, while more than 4,200 people remain out of contact as search and rescue operations continue across affected areas, authorities said Monday.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the largest number of bodies — 272 — has been recovered in southern Chitwan district.
Local authorities in Chitwan buried many of the recovered bodies at Devghat, near the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Trishuli rivers, amid concerns over public health risks. DNA samples were collected before burial to assist with future identification, according to the District Administration Office.
The disaster management authority said additional unidentified bodies were being held at 21 hospitals across several districts and urged relatives of missing people to check official records.
A total of 4,247 people remain out of contact, including 592 foreign nationals, according to the latest figures.
Authorities also said 933 people working at hydropower projects along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river corridors remain unaccounted for. Rescue teams are working to reach people believed to be trapped inside tunnels at several hydropower facilities, with technical assistance from Indian and Chinese teams.
Personnel from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, along with other government employees, have also been reported missing since the floods struck areas near the Nepal-China border.
The floods have left 267 people injured, of whom 156 have been discharged after receiving treatment.
Authorities said 10,451 people have been rescued so far, including 252 foreign nationals. The Nepal Army has carried out aerial rescues of 3,344 Nepalis.
More than 20,800 security personnel have been deployed for search, rescue and relief operations, including 8,722 Nepal Army personnel, 7,894 Nepal Police officers and 4,203 Armed Police Force personnel. (Source: IANS)
