Bhotekoshi Flood Death Toll Rises to 1,252 as More Than 4,200 Remain Missing

 

Kathmandu: The death toll from the Bhotekoshi floods has climbed to 1,252, with more than 4,200 people still unaccounted for, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).

As of noon on Thursday, 1,252 bodies had been recovered from riverbanks across several districts.

Chitwan has recorded the highest number of recovered bodies, with 255. Similarly, 218 bodies have been found in East Nawalparasi and 208 in West Nawalparasi.

The authorities have also recovered 177 bodies in Nuwakot, 127 in Rasuwa, 69 in Gorkha, 60 in Dhading and 38 in Tanahun.

A total of 4,216 people remain missing following the floods. A significant number of those unaccounted for are employees and workers associated with hydropower projects. Around 900 people working at 11 different hydropower projects are still missing.

Meanwhile, 583 foreign tourists have also been reported missing. Rasuwa alone has 865 people listed as missing, according to the disaster management authority.

Search and rescue operations are continuing in the affected areas. Nepali security personnel are working alongside rescue teams from China, India and South Korea to locate those still missing.

Authorities say the search operation is ongoing, and the number of casualties and missing people could change as more information and bodies are recovered.