Nepal flash floods death toll climbs to 1,385 as search continues

Nepal's flash flood toll rose to 1,385 as rescuers searched for over 5,000 missing people. The avalanche-triggered disaster has battered several districts and affected Tibet as well.

In Short

• Disaster authority reported bodies recovered across Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Nuwakot and Rasuwa
• Rescuers have pulled 13,676 people out as joint operations continue
• Bhotekoshi floodwaters swept away homes, vehicles, bridges and hydropower infrastructure

The death toll from the flash floods in Nepal rose to 1,385 on Friday as more bodies were recovered from affected districts, while search and rescue operations continued for more than 5,000 missing people. The floods were triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26 and devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal.

Authorities said the scale of the disaster remained severe, with thousands still unaccounted for and rescue teams continuing their efforts. So far, 13,676 people have been rescued from different areas, while the number of missing people is estimated at 5,130.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, at least 364 bodies have been recovered from Chitwan district, 228 from Nawalparasi East, 222 from Nawalparasi West, 199 from Nuwakot, 185 from Rasuwa, 77 from Gorkha, 70 from Dhading and 38 from Tanahu. Two victims of the flash floods also died in Kathmandu while undergoing treatment.

The joint command of security personnel has continued search and rescue operations across the affected regions. The Bhotekoshi River, which flows south from the Himalayan border region, carried the floodwaters downstream, sweeping away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges and damaging hydropower projects.

Meanwhile, at least 703 Nepalese nationals stranded in China after the floods have returned home through the Tatopani border point in Sindhupalchok, the Rising Nepal newspaper reported. They had been living in China for work before the disaster and returned via Keyrung and the Tatopani border after the floods caused extensive loss of life and property in Keyrung and Rasuwa districts. Of the 703 returnees, 205 were women and 498 were men, according to data released by the District Administration Office, Sindhupalchok.

The disaster also affected areas across the border. Chinese media reports said at least 43 people were killed on the Chinese side, while more than 500 remain missing in Tibet. In Nepal, the toll rose to 1,385 on Friday, with rescue work still under way and thousands yet to be traced.

With PTI Inputs

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