Nepal floods: Death toll crosses 900 as 4,247 remain out of contact

The death toll from devastating floods in Nepal has crossed the 900 mark, with bodies recovered from riverbanks continuing to pile up across several districts.

According to the latest update issued by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) on Monday, the number of recovered bodies has risen to 903. Southern Chitwan district reported the highest number, with 272 bodies recovered.

Authorities in Chitwan buried most of the recovered bodies at Devghat, located at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Trishuli rivers, to prevent the bodies from becoming a source of disease. DNA samples were collected before burial to help identify the victims in the future, according to the District Administration Office, Chitwan.

The NDRRMA said several unidentified bodies are being kept at 21 hospitals across different districts and urged relatives to check official records to help with identification.

As many as 4,247 people remain out of contact, including 592 foreign nationals. Among them are 933 workers at hydropower projects along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river corridors. Rescue teams are continuing efforts to reach people trapped inside tunnels at various hydropower projects with assistance from Indian and Chinese technical teams.

Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force personnel, along with other government employees, are also among those who remain out of contact since the disaster struck areas along the Nepal-China border.

The floods have left 267 people injured, while 156 have been discharged after treatment.

So far, 10,451 people have been rescued, including 252 foreign nationals and 3,344 Nepalis rescued through aerial operations by the Nepal Army.

The NDRRMA said 20,819 security personnel have been deployed for search, rescue and relief operations. This includes 8,722 Nepal Army personnel, 7,894 Nepal Police personnel and 4,203 Armed Police Force personnel.