Kathmandu: Nepal is facing one of its deadliest flood disasters in recent years, with the death toll from devastating flash floods rising to 734 on Sunday, August 30. Authorities said 2,498 people remain missing, while thousands of rescue workers continue searching through flood-hit districts for survivors and victims.
The disaster began after an ice-and-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border triggered a massive surge of water and debris into the Bhotekoshi River. The torrent swept through communities, damaged roads and bridges and disrupted vital infrastructure across central Nepal. The destruction has left large areas difficult to reach, complicating rescue and relief operations.
According to Nepal's latest government figures, bodies have been recovered from several affected districts. Chitwan recorded the highest number of recovered bodies at 259, followed by Nawalparasi East with 184 and Nawalparasi West with 82. The disaster authority said 8,186 people have so far been rescued, including 227 foreigners.
The situation remains dangerous even as rescue operations continue. Authorities have warned of renewed flooding after water levels in the Bhotekoshi River rose again, urging rescue teams and residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert. Continuing rainfall and unstable conditions are raising fears of further flooding and landslides.
A major rescue challenge is unfolding at hydropower facilities, where more than 100 workers are feared trapped inside tunnels. Specialised teams from India and China are assisting with difficult rescue operations, while authorities are also seeking technical support for tunnel searches, forensic identification and infrastructure recovery.
The disaster has also affected people from outside Nepal. The latest missing-person list includes 589 foreign nationals, while Chinese authorities have reported 16 deaths and 546 missing people in Tibet. Combined, the Nepal-Tibet disaster has left 750 people dead and more than 3,000 missing.
With search teams racing against time and fresh flood warnings in place, Nepal's immediate priority remains rescuing those still missing, reaching isolated communities and providing emergency assistance to thousands of survivors. The scale of destruction is expected to make reconstruction a long and costly process.
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