Bhotekoshi flood death toll reaches 1,341

KATHMANDU: The death toll from the devastating Bhotekoshi floods of August 26 has reached 1,341, according to the latest update from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).

The bodies were recovered from eight districts along the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river corridor. According to the update, 362 bodies were retrieved in Chitwan, 222 in Nawalparasi East, 220 in Nawalparasi West, 195 in Nuwakot, 163 in Rasuwa, 74 in Gorkha, 67 in Dhading and 28 in Tanahun.

According to the NDRRMA, an ice-rock avalanche from the northern slopes of Mt Langtang Lirung triggered the flood in the Lhende River, which meets the Bhotekoshi at the Nepal-Rasuwa border point of Rasuwagadhi and flows through Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Chitwan, Tanahun, Nawalparasi East and Nawalparasi West districts before entering India.

Nearly 5,000 people, including 589 foreign tourists and around 100 security personnel, are still missing.

According to the NDRRMA, 13,104 people have been rescued so far. Two people, a Chinese worker and a 64-year-old woman, were rescued alive on Saturday, 11 days after the flood.

More than 21,465 security personnel have been mobilised for search, rescue and relief operations.