Nepal Flash Flood Death Toll Climbs To 626, Nearly 2,000 Missing

Kathmandu, Aug 29: The death toll from devastating flash floods in central Nepal rose to 626 on Saturday, with rescue teams continuing to recover bodies while nearly 2,000 people remain missing, authorities said.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said the bodies had been recovered from eight districts, with the highest number reported from Chitwan at 233, followed by Nawalparasi East with 158.

The death toll included 51 bodies recovered from Nuwakot, 48 from Gorkha, 47 from Nawalparasi West, 45 from Dhading, 31 from Tanahu and 13 from Rasuwa, according to the disaster management authority.

The flash floods swept through Rasuwa and other parts of central Nepal on Wednesday, leaving a trail of destruction across settlements and damaging roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure.

Rescue and relief operations continued for a fourth consecutive day on Saturday, with nearly 2,500 stranded people evacuated from affected areas.

Authorities remained on alert as the NDRRMA warned on Friday that rising water levels at the flash flood site had increased the risk of another flooding event.

Search teams were continuing efforts to locate those reported missing and recover more bodies from areas hit by the disaster. (Agencies)