Nepal flash floods: Death toll crosses 1,050, thousands remain missing
Rescuers in Nepal have recovered more bodies from eight districts, pushing the death toll from last week's devastating flash floods to 1,050, officials said on Tuesday. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) reported that nearly 4,000 people, including 583 foreigners and 83 security personnel, remain missing.
The flooding has severely affected several districts, with Rasuwa district hit particularly hard after the Bhotekoshi River, which flows from the Tibet region, breached its banks. The deluge destroyed homes, roads, and bridges, cutting off remote communities and hampering rescue operations.
Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah attributed the flood to climate change, stating that it is a global contribution and that disaster response remains a global responsibility. He made the remarks while assessing the situation in Rasuwa, which borders Tibet.
In a rare bright spot, a school in the affected area successfully evacuated 900 students before the floodwaters arrived, according to reports. The swift action by school authorities has been cited as a model for disaster preparedness.
India has stepped up its assistance. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said 163 Indian nationals have been rescued so far. A 19-member specialised forensics team from India began operations in Kathmandu on Sunday, and a tunnel rescue team has also been deployed to help locate those trapped under debris.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India's relief and rescue efforts are being carried out in coordination with Nepalese authorities. The forensics team will assist in identifying victims, while the tunnel rescue team is equipped to reach survivors in collapsed structures.
Rescue operations remain challenging due to damaged infrastructure and the possibility of further rainfall. Officials have warned that the number of missing could fluctuate as communication links are restored and more families report their whereabouts.
The disaster has also affected foreign nationals, with the NDRRMA listing 583 foreigners among the missing. Embassies are working with Nepalese authorities to track their citizens.
The Nepalese government has declared the affected districts as disaster zones and is coordinating relief efforts with international agencies. The full scale of destruction is still being assessed as rescue teams reach isolated villages in remote valleys.
