Bhotekoshi flood death toll rises to 734, nearly 2,500 missing

The death toll from the devastating flood that struck Nepal’s Bhotekoshi area of Rasuwa on August 26 has risen to 734, with the bodies of people reported missing recovered from several flood-affected districts.

According to the latest bulletin from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), still 2,498 people are missing, which include 589 foreign nationals.

The recovered bodies include 13 in Rasuwa, 52 in Nuwakot, 50 in Dhading, 58 in Gorkha, 184 in Nawalparasi East, 82 in Nawalparasi West, 36 in Tanahun and 259 in Chitwan.

Authorities said 8,186 people have been rescued so far, while search and recovery operations remain underway.

The disaster has also affected Nepali citizens across the border in China. Chinese state media CGTN reported that 104 Nepali nationals are among 261 foreign citizens reported missing following severe flooding in the Kerung area of Tibet.

According to the report, 49 Indian nationals are also missing, along with citizens from several other countries, including Latvia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. Chinese authorities said they had informed the diplomatic missions of the countries concerned.

Officials said no foreign tourists were stranded in Kerung County as of Sunday morning.

The floods have also caused major disruption to Nepal’s hydropower sector. 933 employees from 11 hydropower projects remain unaccounted for, according to NDRRMA, while rescue teams, including the Nepal Army, are working to reach workers believed to be trapped inside tunnels.

Rescue efforts at projects including Chilime, Rasuwagadhi and Upper Trishuli-3A have been hampered by difficult terrain, damaged infrastructure and shortages of personnel and equipment.

Search and rescue operations are continuing as authorities work to locate those still missing and assess the full scale of the disaster.