Punjab Newsline | Nepal

Nepal is confronting one of its worst natural disasters in recent history following catastrophic flash floods along the Bhote Koshi River. According to the latest update from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), the confirmed death toll has surged to 734, while 2,419 people remain missing or out of contact.

Search and rescue operations are proceeding under extreme conditions, further complicated by fresh alerts indicating that water levels in the Bhote Koshi River are rising again. Authorities have urged all emergency personnel and local communities along riparian zones in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Chitwan to exercise extreme caution.

Casualties and Missing Persons Breakdown

Recoveries are spread across multiple districts, with Chitwan suffering the highest number of casualties.

  • Chitwan: 259 bodies recovered (including partial remains)

  • Nawalparasi East: 184 bodies

  • Nawalparasi West: 82 bodies

  • Gorkha: 58 bodies

  • Nuwakot: 52 bodies

  • Dhading: 50 bodies

  • Tanahun: 36 bodies

  • Rasuwa: 13 bodies

Among the 2,419 missing individuals, 589 are foreign nationals, and 127 are Nepali guides accompanying tourist groups. A significant portion of the missing—933 people—were working at various hydropower projects, including 562 in Rasuwa and 115 in Nuwakot. Unidentified bodies are currently being kept across 21 regional hospitals for identification.

Massive Rescue Mobilization

A force of 19,895 security personnel has been deployed to the affected regions. This includes 8,399 members of the Nepal Army, 7,293 from the Nepal Police, and 4,203 from the Armed Police Force Nepal.

  • Total Rescued: 8,186 people have been evacuated to safety so far.

  • Tunnel Evacuations: 279 individuals, including 227 foreign nationals, were successfully rescued via helicopter from a trapped hydropower tunnel.

  • Medical Support: 242 injured individuals are receiving treatment, with specialized surgical teams deployed directly to field locations.

Financial Aid and Relief Logistics

The Nepalese government has released immediate cash assistance, allocating NPR 10 million each to Rasuwa and Nuwakot, NPR 5 million to Dhading, and NPR 67.5 million distributed across 15 affected local municipalities.

Relief logistics are moving by air and land. Thirty-seven trucks loaded with essential items and seven helicopter missions have delivered food, medicine, and communication equipment. Two tonnes of emergency supplies were airlifted directly to isolated zones in Uttargaya and Dhunche. Meanwhile, fuel monitoring in Nuwakot shows 36,000 liters of diesel and 24,000 liters of petrol in stock, alongside 14,000 liters of aviation fuel.

International Assistance

Neighbouring countries are providing active ground support. India dispatched its fourth relief flight to Kathmandu, delivering 11 tons of emergency materials. The payload included specialized tunnel search-and-rescue units, forensic DNA analysis teams, tarpaulins, blankets, and hygiene kits. Technical experts from both India and China are collaborating with local authorities on the ground.

Prime Minister Balen Shah reaffirmed that the government will remain on high alert and operate at full capacity until every displaced citizen is rehabilitated.