Nepal Death Toll Climbs to 579 as Rescue Operations Resume at Full Scale

KATHMANDU, Aug 28: The death toll from devastating flash floods in central Nepal climbed to 579 on Friday as security forces intensified search and rescue operations across the affected areas. The recovery effort had briefly slowed amid concerns over rising water levels in the Bhotekoshi River, but teams have now resumed operations at full strength.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) warned that another surge could occur near the location where a major flash flood struck earlier this week.

“The water level mixed with mud has increased at the same place where the flash flood occurred on Wednesday, and there is a risk of more flooding in the area,” the authority said.

Officials advised rescue personnel and residents in the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river corridors to remain vigilant and move immediately to safer locations if conditions deteriorate.

The disaster struck Rasuwa and neighbouring districts on Wednesday, sweeping away homes, roads, bridges and parts of hydropower facilities. The scale of destruction has left large numbers of people missing and disrupted transportation and communication links in several regions.

Nepal Police said bodies had been recovered from eight districts. Chitwan recorded the highest number, with 233 fatalities, followed by Nawalparasi East with 154. Gorkha reported 46 deaths and Dhading 40.

Nuwakot accounted for 37 recovered bodies, while 30 were found in Tanahu, 27 in Nawalparasi West and 12 in Rasuwa.

Chinese authorities separately reported five fatalities in Gyirong County of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Authorities said 1,924 people, including 86 security personnel, 517 foreign tourists and 127 Nepali travellers, have remained unaccounted for since the floods struck on Wednesday morning.

Rescue teams have so far evacuated 4,451 people from affected locations. The group includes 129 foreign nationals, among them 85 Indians, while 191 people trapped inside tunnels at various hydropower projects were also brought to safety.

At least 101 injured survivors are receiving medical treatment in hospitals across Kathmandu.

The rescue mission has involved 7,451 security personnel, including 2,391 members of the Nepal Army. Helicopters are being deployed to reach isolated settlements, evacuate survivors and transport emergency supplies, while teams on the ground are combing riverbanks and downstream areas.

The floodwaters carried debris and bodies far from the initial disaster zone. Remains recovered from Rasuwa and Nuwakot have been located in districts including Chitwan, Tanahun, Nawalparasi and Gorkha.

The influx of victims has placed additional pressure on hospitals, with several morgues reportedly nearing or reaching their capacity.

Nepal Suspends Examinations

Amid the continuing humanitarian crisis, the Nepal government has decided to suspend all examinations scheduled from August 29.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah and his Cabinet colleagues also decided to contribute one month’s salary to the disaster relief fund.

The government has instructed the Finance Ministry to prepare a package covering relief measures, concessional financing and rehabilitation support for individuals and businesses affected by the floods.

Nepal Clarifies Position on Foreign Assistance

The government also rejected reports that Nepal had turned down assistance from friendly nations and the international community.

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said the country had not rejected international help but was initially prioritising the deployment of domestic security forces because of their familiarity with Nepal’s difficult terrain and local environmental conditions.

“International assistance was not rejected but that the rescue strategy was decided based on national capacity, immediate need and Nepal’s unique geographical situation,” Khanal told the National News Agency (RSS).

China Raises Alert Over Barrier Lake

Meanwhile, China issued a Level-IV emergency alert on Thursday after authorities detected a large barrier lake near the confluence of the Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers in Nepal.

China’s natural-disaster response system has four alert levels, with Level I representing the highest degree of emergency and Level IV the lowest.

Chinese authorities informed Nepal that approximately 2 million cubic metres of water had accumulated in the lake. They warned that another 3 million cubic metres could flow into the formation over the following three days, increasing concerns over a possible breach.

The barrier lake is located near the meeting point of the Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers, which originate in Tibet before flowing into Nepal as part of the Bhotekoshi river system.

With thousands still missing and hazardous conditions persisting along the river network, authorities continue to focus on locating survivors, recovering victims and preventing further loss of life.