The bodies of 1,357 people who went missing in the Bhotekoshi flood have been recovered so far.
The latest details on the Bhotekoshi flood, which was centered in Rasuwa, as well as subsequent search, rescue, and relief efforts, have been released by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
According to the updated figures as of 1 p.m. on Tuesday, the death toll from the flood has reached 1,357.
According to the authority, the highest number of bodies have been recovered in Chitwan, where 363 bodies have been found. Among other districts, 223 bodies have been recovered in East Nawalparasi, 222 in West Nawalparasi, 197 in Nuwakot, 169 in Rasuwa, 75 in Gorkha, 70 in Dhading, and 38 in Tanahun.
So far, only 102 of the deceased have been identified and handed over to their families. The authority has asked relatives of unidentified victims to provide samples for DNA testing at the respective District Police Offices, along with photographs and proof of kinship, to assist with identification.
A total of 5,326 people remain unaccounted for following the flood. Of these, 2,860 are from Rasuwa alone. Those listed as missing include 587 foreign tourists, 45 Nepal Army personnel, 25 Nepal Police personnel, 12 Armed Police Force personnel, and 73 government employees. The authority said that since the list of missing persons may also include people who have already been rescued or deceased victims who have not yet been identified, verification of the figures is ongoing.
So far, 13,583 people have been successfully rescued. Of the 6,827 people injured, 327 are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals, while 2,420 have been discharged after treatment. The Nepal Army and Armed Police Force have treated more than 6,500 injured people through their respective mechanisms. Thirty-nine holding centers have been established in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading for those displaced by the flood, providing shelter to 3,533 people.
A total of 21,402 security personnel have been mobilized for rescue and relief operations, including 9,287 from the Nepal Army, 7,912 from Nepal Police, and 4,203 from the Armed Police Force. Helicopters operated by the Nepal Army, private-sector operators, and the Armed Police Force have conducted more than 1,400 flights for rescue operations.
The government has also accelerated relief distribution. Rs 10 million each has been provided in cash relief to Rasuwa and Nuwakot, while Rs 5 million has been provided to Dhading. In addition, Rs 135 million has been allocated for 15 affected local levels. Helicopters and trucks are being used to transport food and other relief supplies.
Electricity has been restored to 99.8 percent of households in Dhading, 96.7 percent in Nuwakot, and 78 percent in Rasuwa. The authority said that fuel supplies have been secured in the affected areas and 457 LPG cylinders have been sent with subsidies.
(News Agency Nepal)
