Nepal Flood Death Toll Rises To 1,377, Over 5,000 Still Missing

KATHMANDU, Sept 10: The death toll from flash floods in Nepal rose to 1,377 on Thursday as more bodies were recovered from affected districts, while security forces continued search and rescue operations for more than 5,000 missing people, authorities said.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), 364 bodies have been recovered from Chitwan, 228 from Nawalparasi East, 222 from Nawalparasi West and 198 from Nuwakot.

Another 178 bodies were recovered from Rasuwa, 77 from Gorkha, 70 from Dhading and 38 from Tanahu. Two flood victims also died while undergoing treatment in Kathmandu.

The joint command of security personnel has continued search operations for 5,130 people reported missing. So far, 13,656 people have been rescued from the flood-hit areas.

The flash floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, devastated towns and villages across northern and central Nepal.

The Bhotekoshi River, flowing south from the Himalayan border region, carried the floodwaters downstream, sweeping away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges and damaging hydropower projects.

The disaster also claimed at least 43 lives on the Chinese side, while more than 500 people remain missing in Tibet, according to Chinese media reports. (Agencies)