Nepal flood death toll reaches 1,342

Nepal’s death toll from devastating flash floods in the north reached 1,342 by 8 a.m. Saturday, while 4,886 people remained missing, Nepal Police said.

The floods struck along the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa district near Nepal’s northern border with China, causing widespread destruction downstream. Authorities recovered bodies in eight districts, including 360 in Chitwan, 230 in Nawalparasi West, 222 in Nawalparasi East and 192 in Nuwakot.

Police said 1,030 bodies had been buried after DNA samples and other identification procedures were completed. The figure included 222 women, 355 men and 453 bodies whose sex had not been established. Authorities collected 2,272 DNA samples, including 1,260 from bodies and 1,012 from relatives.

Details of 1,270 unidentified bodies were uploaded to the Nepal Police website to help families determine whether their relatives were among the dead. Police deployed 7,912 officers for search and rescue, relief distribution, body recovery and other emergency operations.

About 3,240 people were staying in holding centres across several districts. Police and local authorities continued moving families from flood-risk areas to safer locations, while security teams and residents worked to clear blocked roads and search affected areas.