Nepal continues searches as it assesses flood damage

Nepal’s search for thousands of people missing after the Aug. 26 floods continued on Sunday, as authorities began calculating the scale of destruction across the country’s northern districts. Rescue teams remained active in Rasuwa and Nuwakot, along the Trishuli corridor and at several hydropower complexes.

Four people found alive on Friday and Saturday kept open the possibility of further survivors. Two Nepali workers were rescued from the Trishuli-3A tunnel, a Chinese citizen was found at Upper Trishuli-1, and a 64-year-old woman was pulled from a mud-buried home in Betrawati.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority counted 1,341 recovered bodies and human remains, while 4,996 people remained unaccounted for. The government’s latest update put the number of missing at nearly 5,000, including about 589 foreigners from 35 countries. Officials warned that the figures could change as searches continue and lists of missing people are reviewed.

Specialist teams from India, China and South Korea are working with Nepal’s Army at facilities including Upper Trishuli-1, Upper Trishuli-3A, Upper Trishuli-3B, U216 Haku, Chilime and Langtang. Australia has sent a 15-member disaster response team, while Malaysia has added 11 specialists. Nepalese authorities say they have rescued 13,098 people since the emergency began, including more than 300 foreigners.

The government’s initial damage assessment covers about 7,570 homes housing roughly 32,933 people, along with 48 government buildings, 55 kilometers of roads, 37 vehicle bridges and 68 suspension bridges. Floodwaters also damaged about 1,806 hectares of farmland, 13 hydropower projects, a solar plant and two transmission lines, affecting about 783 megawatts of hydropower capacity. The destruction of roads and bridges continues to hinder searches and aid deliveries. Authorities estimate the initial losses at 387.54 billion Nepalese rupees, or about $2.6 billion, and say they will need roughly $53 million over the next four months for early recovery work.