Nepal Flood Death Toll Rises to 616, Hundreds Missing

The devastating floods in Nepal have claimed at least 616 lives, with hundreds of people still unaccounted for, according to police reports from Saturday. The Bhotekoshi flood and subsequent downstream inundation have left a trail of destruction across multiple districts.

Search and rescue efforts are actively underway in eight affected districts. As of Saturday morning, authorities had recovered a significant number of bodies, with Chitwan reporting the highest toll at 233, followed by Nawalparasi East with 158. Other districts like Gorkha, Nawalparasi West, Dhading, Nuwakot, Tanahun, and Rasuwa have also reported casualties.

Authorities are prioritizing the relocation of families from high-risk zones to safer grounds. Efforts are also focused on clearing roads blocked by flood debris and landslides to restore access and facilitate the delivery of essential relief operations. The full extent of the disaster is still unfolding, and the death toll is expected to climb as search teams reach more remote and affected areas.

The floodwaters, carrying a powerful surge of water and debris, struck Rasuwa and neighboring northern districts on Wednesday. The torrent swept away homes, bridges, roads, and other vital infrastructure, isolating numerous communities and travelers.

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As of 6am, police had recovered 233 bodies in Chitwan, 158 in Nawalparasi East, 48 in Gorkha, 47 in Nawalparasi West, 45 in Dhading, 41 in Nuwakot, 31 in Tanahun and 13 in Rasuwa.