Kathmandu: The death toll from the catastrophic flash floods in Nepal has risen to 903, while 4,247 people remain missing, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). The latest figures came as rescue and recovery operations entered their sixth day.
Bodies have been recovered from all eight affected districts. Chitwan has recorded the highest number of fatalities at 272, followed by Nawalparasi East with 207 and Nawalparasi West with 151. Nuwakot, Gorkha, Dhading, Tanahun and Rasuwa have also reported significant losses.
Thousands still missing
The missing include 320 foreigners and 85 security personnel, while hundreds of workers from hydropower projects remain unaccounted for. Authorities have mobilised more than 20,000 security personnel for search, rescue and relief operations. More than 10,000 people have so far been rescued.
The scale of the disaster has left families desperately searching for relatives at rescue centres and hospitals. Authorities are also collecting DNA samples from unidentified bodies to help families establish the identity of those who died.
Rescue teams race against time
The disaster struck on August 26 after a massive ice-and-rock avalanche in the high Himalayas sent a powerful surge of water and debris through the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river corridors. Nepalese scientists say the preliminary evidence points to an ice-rock avalanche rather than a conventional glacial lake outburst flood.
Rescue teams, including Indian and Chinese specialists, are continuing operations around damaged hydropower facilities and other inaccessible areas. Difficult terrain, debris and the threat of further flooding are making the search increasingly challenging.