Kathmandu, Nepal – The devastating flash floods that swept through Nepal have claimed more than 1,400 lives, with authorities continuing the grim task of recovering bodies and searching for over 6,000 individuals still unaccounted for, officials announced on Wednesday.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that the Nepal Police have reported a death toll of 1,404 following the discovery of additional bodies in the flood-ravaged districts.
More than 13,700 people have been successfully rescued from the affected areas, but approximately 6,150 remain missing, according to official figures. The catastrophic event was triggered by an ice-rock avalanche that occurred near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26. The subsequent flash floods wreaked havoc on towns and villages situated in the northern and central regions of Nepal.
The Bhotekoshi River, a waterway flowing south from the Himalayan border area, experienced a dramatic surge in water levels. The immense force of the floodwaters inundated homes, swept away vehicles, destroyed roads and bridges, and caused significant damage to multiple hydropower projects.
The scale of the disaster also extended to the Chinese side of the border, where floods resulted in 43 fatalities and left over 500 people missing, as reported by Chinese media outlets. In Nepal, the Chitwan district recorded the highest number of recovered bodies, with 364 individuals identified, followed by Nawalparasi East with 232 and Nawalparasi West with 222. Other districts reporting fatalities include Nuwakot, Rasuwa, Gorkha, Dhading, and Tanahun.
A significant challenge facing authorities is the identification of the deceased. Of the total bodies recovered, only 104 have been successfully identified and handed over to their families. Many of the recovered remains have been severely damaged, decomposed, or fragmented due to being swept downstream for extended periods and exposure to mud and debris, making identification by facial features, clothing, or personal belongings extremely difficult, officials stated.
The prolonged immersion in water and contact with environmental elements have degraded recognizable human features. In some instances, remains have been found mixed or fragmented, further complicating identification processes. Forensic experts have emphasized the critical role of DNA testing in such circumstances, acknowledging that it is a time-consuming procedure requiring comparison samples from both the recovered remains and biological relatives.
Search operations are actively underway at several hydropower projects located in the flood-affected districts of Rasuwa and Nuwakot. These operations are a priority due to the significant number of workers who are still unaccounted for. The efforts involve personnel from the Nepal Army, the Armed Police Force, project employees, and foreign technical experts. On Wednesday, rescue teams successfully recovered the mortal remains of five individuals from a tunnel at the Chilime hydropower project. Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava confirmed the recovery, noting that while no survivors were found, the teams had spent several days clearing slush and mud to reach the powerhouse. The coordinated search efforts highlight the multi-national cooperation in response to the disaster.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
