A catastrophic flood triggered by an ice-rock avalanche in Nepal's Bhotekoshi river has claimed 1,127 lives, with thousands still unaccounted for and extensive damage reported across multiple districts.
The death toll from Nepal's devastating flood has risen to 1,127 as of Wednesday morning, according to Nepal Police. Bodies have been recovered from numerous districts along the Bhotekoshi river, including 348 in Chitwan, 217 in Nawalparasi East, 190 in Nawalparasi West, 155 in Nuwakot, and 66 in Gorkha. An additional nine bodies were recovered across the border in India. The flood originated in Rasuwa district, where 45 bodies were initially found.
Authorities have made progress in processing the deceased, with postmortem and legal identification procedures completed for 1,113 of the recovered bodies. However, challenges remain in identifying victims, with details of 911 unidentified bodies uploaded to the Nepal Police website to assist families searching for missing relatives. To date, only 95 bodies have been released to their families.
Search and rescue operations remain ongoing for 4,858 people reported missing. Nepal Police have deployed 7,912 personnel across affected areas to conduct rescue operations, distribute relief supplies, manage recovered bodies, and assist with evacuations. To date, 6,541 people have been rescued. Police teams are also clearing debris-blocked roads and relocating families from high-risk zones to safer locations.
The disaster, caused by an ice-rock avalanche, has created widespread destruction across the region. Beyond the human toll, the flood has damaged critical infrastructure including roads, border trade facilities, and hydropower installations in several districts, compounding the humanitarian crisis.