1,355 bodies recovered after Bhotekoshi flood; 4,996 remain missing

KATHMANDU: National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has reported that 1,355 bodies have been recovered following the Bhotekoshi flood that struck Rasuwa on August 26.

Updated records show 4,996 people are still reported missing, including 1,967 Nepali nationals from Rasuwa and 2,340 from Nuwakot. Around 100 security personnel and civil employees, together with approximately 589 foreign nationals, are also unaccounted for.

The authority said 98 of the recovered bodies have been identified and handed to their families. NDRRMA Spokesperson Shanti Mahat gave a district breakdown: 169 bodies from Rasuwa, 197 from Nuwakot, 70 from Dhading, 75 from Gorkha, 38 from Tanahun, 363 from Chitwan, 222 from Nawalparasi East and 221 from Nawalparasi West.

Rescue teams have so far brought to safety 13,396 people who were stranded or trapped by the floods. Medical teams have treated 6,672 injured people; of the 323 patients treated at various hospitals, 228 have been discharged.

Relief operations are sheltering survivors in 39 holding centres, which currently house 3,533 people — 669 in Rasuwa, 2,651 in Nuwakot and 213 in Dhading.

The government has mobilised 21,402 security personnel for search and rescue, relief distribution, rehabilitation and security duties across the affected areas. This includes 9,287 from the Nepali Army, 7,912 from Nepal Police and 4,203 from the Armed Police Force, Nepal (APF Nepal).

The floods caused widespread loss of life and extensive damage to property across districts including Rasuwa, Dhading, Nuwakot and Chitwan.

(With inputs from RSS)