Nepal’s devastating floods have left thousands dead or missing, while China has warned of further risks and India has expanded humanitarian assistance with relief and medical supplies.
New Delhi: The death toll from the devastating floods in Nepal has risen to 1,259, while more than 5,000 people remain missing, as authorities continue an extensive search and rescue operation across the flood-hit areas.
According to the latest figures released by Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) by 7 pm on September 3, a total of 1,259 bodies had been recovered and 5,083 people were still unaccounted for. The disaster has also left 5,384 people injured, while 12,038 people have been rescued so far.
More than 21,000 security personnel have been mobilised for search, rescue and relief operations. The missing include 2,130 people in Rasuwa and 2,340 in Nuwakot, while 583 foreigners are also listed as missing.
The scale of the disaster has posed a major challenge for rescue teams, who are continuing searches across affected villages, roads, river stretches and damaged infrastructure.
District-wise, 355 bodies have been recovered in Chitwan, 218 in Nawalparasi East, 212 in Nawalparasi West, 177 in Nuwakot, 127 in Rasuwa, 72 in Gorkha, 60 in Dhading and 38 in Tanahun. Authorities have so far handed over 95 bodies to their families.
Rescue efforts have also produced a significant breakthrough at the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project, where two people were rescued from a hydropower tunnel more than a week after the flash floods devastated areas along the Nepal-China border.
Nepal’s energy ministry expects at least 42 people to be rescued from the tunnel after rescuers heard voices inside. Hundreds of people still missing are believed to be workers employed at hydropower projects along the river. Engineers have been pumping air into the tunnels as part of the ongoing rescue operation.
The floods have caused extensive damage to Nepal’s property, housing and infrastructure. The country’s disaster authority chief estimated the losses at 387.5 billion Nepalese rupees, equivalent to about $2.56 billion.
Nepal has also formally approached the United Nations’ Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage seeking assistance following the disaster. According to the reports, Nepal’s Ministry of Finance warned that the overall destruction could amount to between $4 billion and $7 billion, far beyond the country’s capacity to manage with domestic resources.
Meanwhile, India has continued to provide humanitarian assistance to Nepal as rescue and recovery operations intensify. The sixth and seventh Indian relief flights, both operated by C-130J aircraft, arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday night carrying a combined 21.5 tonnes of relief material.
The latest consignments included forensic kits and medical supplies to support rescue and recovery operations in the flood-affected areas. The relief material was handed over to Nepal’s Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Mahabir Pun.
Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava said the latest assistance was part of India’s continuing support for Nepal’s response to the Rasuwa flash floods.
With thousands still missing and rescue teams facing difficult terrain and damaged infrastructure, authorities continue to focus on locating survivors, recovering bodies and providing emergency assistance to affected communities.
