1.6 million affected by Bhotekoshi floods, says government report

Nepal’s Bhotekoshi floods have killed 1,050 people and left nearly 4,000 missing, according to the government’s first preliminary situation report. Nearly 1.6 million people have been affected, making the disaster one of the country’s deadliest.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority identified Rasuwa and Nuwakot as the worst-hit districts. Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan were classified as moderately affected. Chitwan recorded the highest number of recovered bodies, with 321, followed by Nawalparasi East with 216 and Nawalparasi West with 170. Authorities also recovered 142 bodies in Nuwakot, 65 in Gorkha, 57 in Dhading, 41 in Rasuwa and 38 in Tanahun.

The authority reported 3,916 missing people from 62 districts. Nepali nationals travelling in groups, including domestic tourists, accounted for 62 percent of those missing. Government agency employees made up 17 percent, while foreign nationals accounted for 15 percent.

Rescue operations have so far carried 11,814 people to safety, including 253 foreign nationals. Air operations conducted 3,702 rescues through 573 flights. Nepal has deployed 21,011 security personnel, including 8,896 army members, 7,912 police officers and 4,203 members of the Armed Police Force. Teams from India, China and South Korea have joined the search and rescue effort across the mountainous region.

The floods have placed further pressure on Nepal’s health system. Medical facilities treated 292 injured people, with 79 still receiving care and 210 discharged. Three people died while undergoing treatment. Separately, the Nepali Army provided medical care to another 2,740 people in affected areas.