Nepal flood death toll rises to 1,355, nearly 5,000 unaccounted for

Nepal’s confirmed flood death toll has reached 1,355, while nearly 5,000 people remain unaccounted for after catastrophic flash floods in the country’s north.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said Monday that search and rescue teams had recovered the bodies from eight districts. Chitwan recorded the highest number of deaths, with 363, followed by Nawalparasi East with 222 and Nawalparasi West with 221.

Of the 4,996 people still unaccounted for, 2,340 are from Nuwakot and 1,967 are from Rasuwa. The figure also includes 589 foreign nationals and about 100 security and government personnel. Emergency teams have rescued 13,396 people, while 6,672 injured people have received medical treatment.

More than 21,000 security personnel remain deployed in the worst-hit mountain areas. The force includes 9,287 Nepali Army soldiers, 7,912 Nepal Police personnel and 4,203 members of the Armed Police Force. Helicopters based in Kathmandu have made nearly 1,500 flights to deliver supplies and evacuate survivors from isolated Himalayan areas.

The government has allocated Rs160 million, or $1.06 million, in emergency funds to district offices and municipal councils. More than 3,500 displaced people are staying in 39 holding centres. Restoration work has returned electricity to more than 78% of households in Rasuwa, over 96% in Nuwakot and more than 99% in Dhading. Operators have also restored nearly 98% of damaged mobile towers. Humanitarian agencies say damaged roads and difficult access remain the main obstacles to delivering heavy equipment and sustaining relief work.