Nepal flood death toll rises to 1,127

Kathmandu: Nepal’s devastating floods have claimed 1,127 lives, while 4,858 people remain missing, officials said on Wednesday. Search and rescue operations have been intensified across the worst-hit areas.

According to Nepal Police, 348 deaths were reported in Chitwan, 217 in Nawalparasi East, 190 in Nawalparasi West, 155 in Nuwakot, 66 in Gorkha, 59 in Dhading, 45 in Rasuwa and 38 in Tanahun. Nine bodies were also recovered in India.

Only 95 of the recovered bodies have been identified and handed over to families. Prime Minister Balendra Shah said unidentified bodies were being handled through legal and scientific procedures, with DNA samples and other evidence preserved for future identification.

Around 7,912 police personnel have been deployed for rescue, relief and recovery operations. So far, 6,541 people have been rescued.

India and China have deployed specialised international tunnel rescue teams to assist the Nepal Army in operations at hydropower projects affected by sudden flooding of the Bhote Koshi river.

Nepal’s foreign ministry said technical experts were being used for high-risk underground rescue operations. The government’s priority is to save lives, trace missing persons, rescue survivors and provide emergency assistance to all affected people, including foreign nationals.