Nepal raises flood death toll to 1,355 as nearly 5,000 remain missing

Nepal has raised the death toll from a catastrophic flood to 1,355, while 4,996 people remain missing nearly two weeks after the disaster destroyed settlements near the border with Tibet.

The latest figure, released by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, increased by 14 from the previous day. At least 589 foreigners are among the missing, including two Spanish nationals. Identifying the dead remains a major challenge, and the government has so far returned 98 bodies to their families.

Nepal has deployed 21,402 personnel from the army, police and armed forces. Their operations have rescued and brought 13,396 people to safety. Despite the time that has passed, hopes in the disaster zone have revived after four people were found alive in recent days.

On Saturday, rescuers pulled 64-year-old Chandrika Shrestha from beneath a thick layer of mud at her home in the Betrawati market in Nuwakot. Chinese citizen Lu Haitao was also rescued alive after spending 11 days trapped in the tunnel of a hydroelectric facility destroyed by the floods. “Whenever I saw the light, I shouted. I shouted as loudly as I could, with all my strength, but they probably did not hear me,” he said.

Across the border in Tibet, authorities reported 43 deaths and 519 people still missing. In Nepal, the final day of traditional Hindu mourning began on Monday. Government offices and diplomatic missions flew the national flag at half-mast, while worshippers marked the 13th day after the deaths with rituals and food offerings.

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Whenever I saw the light, I shouted. I shouted as loudly as I could, with all my strength, but they probably did not hear me.