Survivors returned to the flood-ravaged areas of Trishuli in Nepal on Saturday, walking through streets covered in mud and debris as they assessed the destruction left behind by one of the country’s worst natural disasters in recent years.
The death toll from the devastating floods has risen to 626 in Nepal, according to authorities, while thousands of people remain missing. Search and rescue operations are continuing across several affected districts as teams recover bodies and look for survivors.
The disaster began on August 26 after a glacier collapse triggered a massive torrent of water, ice, rocks and mud through Himalayan river systems. The surge swept through settlements along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers, destroying homes, roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure.
In Trishuli, survivors on Saturday surveyed damaged buildings and streets buried under thick layers of mud. Many residents returned to their neighbourhoods to search for belongings and assess whether their homes could be salvaged. Entire communities have been left struggling without electricity, communications and easy access to essential supplies.
Rescue operations have been particularly challenging because of damaged roads, unstable terrain and the continuing threat of further flooding. Authorities have been moving families from high-risk areas to safer locations while clearing debris from roads to restore access for relief teams.
The scale of the disaster has also left thousands of families waiting desperately for information about missing relatives. Nepal's disaster authorities had earlier reported 1,924 people missing, while updated figures indicate the number remains extremely high as search teams continue their work. In neighbouring Tibet, hundreds more people have also been reported missing.
The floods have caused extensive damage to hydropower projects and other infrastructure, adding to Nepal's economic burden. The government is now assessing the cost of reconstruction, with early estimates suggesting billions of dollars may be required to rebuild damaged infrastructure and communities.
As rescue teams continue searching through mud and debris, survivors in Trishuli are beginning the difficult task of rebuilding their lives after the sudden disaster swept away homes, livelihoods and, for many families, loved ones.
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