Nepal flood death toll rises to 1,127 as rescue teams search for thousands

Kathmandu: The death toll from the devastating flash floods in Nepal rose to 1,127 on Wednesday, as rescue teams continued searching for thousands of people still reported missing a week after the disaster, Nepal Police said.

According to police, 348 bodies were recovered from Chitwan, 217 from Nawalparasi East, 190 from Nawalparasi West and 155 from Nuwakot. Another 66 bodies were recovered from Gorkha, 59 from Dhading, 45 from Rasuwa and 38 from Tanahu.

Postmortem examinations and legal identification procedures have been completed for 1,113 bodies, while 95 bodies have so far been handed over to their families.

Details of 911 unidentified bodies have been uploaded to the Nepal Police website to assist families in identifying their missing relatives.

Security forces have rescued 6,541 people from the affected areas, while search operations remain underway for 4,858 missing persons.

Authorities have deployed 7,912 police personnel across the flood-hit areas for search and rescue operations, distribution of relief material and management of recovered bodies.

Three major rivers cross alert levels

Authorities on Wednesday urged residents in central, western and eastern Nepal to remain vigilant after water levels in three major rivers crossed alert levels following continued rainfall.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said the Sun Koshi River in Sindhuli, the Budhi Gandaki River in Gorkha and the Mahakali River in Dadeldhura were above their alert levels as of 6 am on September 2.

The department had also reported that the Marsyangdi River in Lamjung crossed the danger mark at the Bhukundebesi monitoring station late Tuesday night.

The river’s water level continued to rise, increasing the risk of flooding in downstream areas. Authorities have advised residents living along the river and in other low-lying areas to remain alert and move to safer locations if required.

The monsoon remains active across several parts of Nepal, with continued rainfall raising concerns over further flooding and landslides.

India sends additional relief

India has dispatched a fifth tranche of more than five tonnes of essential medicines to flood-hit Nepal, along with an 11-member specialised rescue team.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the latest Indian aircraft was carrying the rescue personnel and 5.5 tonnes of essential medicines. India has so far supplied 68.5 tonnes of relief material to Nepal.

New Delhi has also sent doctors, paramedics and a technical team equipped for search and rescue operations.

The assistance followed a conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah on August 26, when Modi assured Nepal of India’s support in dealing with the disaster.