Nepal Floods: Death Toll Crosses 600, Nearly 2,000 Missing As 15,000+ Personnel Deployed For Rescue

The death toll in Nepal's massive flash-flood has reached 616, with nearly 2,000 people still missing. More than 15,000 security personnel have been deployed for an extensive search as the rescue and relief operation continues across the worst-affected areas.

Chitwan district witnessed the highest death toll of 233, followed by 158 in Nawalparasi (East), 48 in Gorkha, 47 in Nawalparasi (West), 45 in Dhading, 41 in Nuwakot, 31 in Tanahun and 13 in Rasuwa. As many as 2301 people were injured and rescued.

The disaster has caused widespread destruction in the Bhotekoshi River area of Rasuwa, leaving people missing and disrupting major road and communication links. The flash floods began after a catastrophic surge hit the Tibet-Nepal border on August 26, sending water, sediment and boulders through the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah, addressing the nation on Raksha Bandhan, said the government remained fully committed to reaching every person affected by the disaster. A total of 15,431 security personnel have been deployed across affected areas, including the Rasuwa district and the Bhote Koshi-Trishuli corridor.

The force includes 6,755 Nepal Army personnel, 4,473 from Nepal Police and 4,203 from the Armed Police Force Nepal. "A total of 15,431 security personnel have been deployed for search and rescue operations. This includes 4,473 from Nepal Police, 6,755 from the Nepali Army, and 4,203 from the Armed Police Force Nepal, active in affected areas including Rasuwa and the Bhote Koshi-Trishuli corridor," Shah said.

Rescue teams have so far brought 4,451 people to safety. This includes 191 people rescued from hydropower tunnels and 517 people evacuated through air rescue operations. "So far, 4,451 people have been rescued. This includes 191 individuals rescued from hydropower tunnels and 517 rescued via today's air rescue operations.

Sixteen helicopters from the Nepali Army and the private sector are continuously conducting shuttle flights in areas like Dhunche, Trishuli, Timure, and Syabrubesi, completing 99 flights so far," Shah said. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said the 1,924 missing people include civilians, foreign nationals, hydropower project workers, security personnel and government employees.

As many as 933 people associated with hydroelectric projects are reported missing, while 517 foreign nationals remain unaccounted for. The list also includes 127 Nepali citizens living abroad who were visiting Nepal. The Rasuwa District Emergency Operations Centre has reported 161 missing people, while 66 are from Makwanpur and one from Nuwakot.

Among those unaccounted for are 45 Nepal Army personnel, 28 Nepal Police personnel, 13 Armed Police Force personnel, 15 Customs Office personnel and 15 Immigration Office personnel. Three people have also been reported missing from Langtang National Park.

Specialised rescue teams are concentrating on workers trapped at the Upper Trishuli Hydropower Project, Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Station and other vulnerable tunnel sites.