Nepal’s catastrophic Bhote Koshi floods have left 1,341 bodies recovered and around 5,000 people missing as tunnel rescues, relief deliveries and reconstruction assessments continue.
Nepal’s search-and-rescue operation entered its twelfth day on Sunday, September 6, with the government reporting 1,341 bodies recovered, approximately 5,000 people still missing and 13,104 people rescued.
The latest figures were issued by Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 2 p.m. Nepal time. Authorities cautioned that the numbers remain subject to revision as search teams recover remains, locate survivors and verify missing-person reports. More than 300 foreign nationals are among those rescued, while about 600 foreigners from 35 countries remain unaccounted for.
The disaster began on August 26 after a glacial collapse triggered destructive flooding along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems. Floodwater, mud and debris devastated communities in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and surrounding districts, destroying homes, bridges, roads and hydropower facilities.
Survivors Found After Ten Days
Fresh rescues have offered rare moments of hope.
Four people were found alive over three days, including two Nepali workers pulled from the Upper Trishuli 3A hydropower tunnel, a Chinese national rescued from another tunnel and an elderly Nepali woman discovered inside her collapsed home in Betrawati.
Chandika Kumari Shrestha survived for around ten days in a narrow air pocket surrounded by water, mud and compacted debris. Her family had presumed her dead and begun mourning rituals before rescuers heard her faint cries. She was freed during a 45-minute operation and taken to an army hospital.
Chinese worker Lu Haitao was also rescued after surviving inside a hydropower tunnel. He reportedly moved towards its highest section to escape rising water and remained trapped until rescue teams reached him.
Tunnel Searches Continue
Hundreds of workers are feared trapped inside flood-damaged hydropower tunnels. Specialist teams from Nepal, India, China and South Korea are using drones, pumps, ground-search equipment and other machinery at projects including Upper Trishuli 1, Upper Trishuli 3A, Upper Trishuli 3B, Chilime, Rasuwagadhi and Langtang.
Malaysia has deployed an 11-member specialist rescue team equipped with nine high-capacity drones. Nepal has also requested ground-penetrating radar, LiDAR equipment, high-capacity pumps, mud-rescue suits, inflatable walkways and additional technical personnel.
The Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority and local disaster agencies remain fully mobilised.
Thousands of Homes and Bridges Damaged
A preliminary government assessment found that the floods affected approximately:
- 7,570 houses and 32,933 residents
- 48 government offices
- 55 kilometres of roads
- 37 motorable bridges
- 68 suspension bridges
- 1,806 hectares of agricultural land
- 13 hydropower projects
- 783 MW of electricity-generation capacity
A comprehensive post-disaster assessment is underway to calculate the full reconstruction cost.
Army engineers are building a temporary bridge across the Tadi River to restore the Galchhi–Trishuli road. Cable-pulley crossings have also become operational at Trishuli Indrenighat and Devighat to move people and supplies across damaged routes.
Medicine, Food and Cash Remain Scarce
Survivors in isolated communities and relief camps continue to report shortages of medicine, food, clean water and cash. Damaged roads and bridges have complicated supply deliveries, forcing some residents to cross rivers using temporary zip lines and improvised systems.
At least 26 international relief flights have been cleared. Assistance has arrived from India, China, the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Malaysia, the European Union, United Nations and several other governments and organisations.
DNA Identification Begins
Because many recovered bodies and partial remains cannot be visually identified, authorities have started DNA collection and temporary burials following forensic procedures.
Families of missing people have been asked to contact the Nepal Police Hospital in Maharajgunj or their nearest district police office. Relatives living overseas can arrange DNA profiling in their country and send the records with the required forms to Nepal Police for comparison.
Forensic specialists from India, China, Japan, Singapore and South Korea are assisting with identification.
Nepal’s emergency control room can be contacted between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Nepal time through +977-9744441227, +977-9744441228 or emergency@mofa.gov.np.
Authorities said travel warnings should remain limited to affected districts, as most other parts of Nepal continue to remain open to visitors.
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