Nepal Flood: Death Toll Rises To 1,259, Over 5,000 Missing; India Steps Up Rescue, Relief Efforts

Thousands of people are still missing as Nepal continues the search operation after the devastating Bhote Koshi floods left 1,259 dead and more than 5,000 people still unaccounted for as of Thursday evening.

According to the latest update issued by Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) at 7 PM on September 3, a total of 1,259 bodies have been recovered, while around 5,083 people remain missing. Rescue and relief operations are continuing across the affected areas.

The disaster has also left 5,384 people injured, while 12,038 people have been rescued so far. More than 21,000 security personnel have been mobilised for search, rescue, and relief work.

Thousands Still Missing

The missing persons figure includes 2,130 people reported missing in Rasuwa

and 2,340 in Nuwakot, according to the latest government figures. Another 583 foreigners are also listed among those unaccounted for.

The scale of the missing persons crisis remains one of the biggest challenges for rescue teams, with authorities continuing to search affected villages, roads, river stretches and damaged infrastructure.

1,259 Bodies Recovered

The latest figures show that bodies have been recovered from several districts along the flood-hit region.

The district-wise recovery figures are:

Rasuwa: 127
Nuwakot: 177
Dhading: 60
Gorkha: 72
Tanahun: 38
Nawalparasi East: 218
Nawalparasi West: 212
Chitwan: 355

The government has so far handed over 95 bodies to families.

The figures remain subject to change as search teams continue to recover bodies from different locations.

More Than 12,000 People Rescued

Rescue operations have brought 12,038 people to safety so far.

The Nepal Army has rescued 4,126 people, while air operations have helped evacuate 3,926 people, including 273 foreigners and 3,653 Nepali nationals. Around 200 people have been rescued by land, while Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force have also carried out large-scale rescue operations.

The Nepal Army has conducted 785 helicopter flights, including 95 flights on Thursday alone. Private helicopters have carried out another 129 flights from Kathmandu.

Over 21,000 Security Personnel Deployed

The government has deployed 21,402 security personnel across the affected areas.

The force includes:

Nepal Army: 9,287 personnel
Nepal Police: 7,912 personnel
Armed Police Force: 4,203 personnel

The teams are involved in searching for missing people, evacuating survivors, recovering bodies and delivering essential supplies.

Relief Supplies Reach Affected Areas

Relief operations are also continuing, with authorities sending food and other essential materials to communities hit by the floods.

The latest update said 69 trucks and 38 boleros carrying food and relief materials had been sent to affected areas. Food and relief supplies have also been delivered through helicopter flights.

The Nepal Army has transported additional relief material through 163 helicopter flights.

Fuel And Communication Services Being Restored

Fuel supplies are also being monitored in the affected areas. The latest figures show stocks of 40,000 litres of diesel, 22,000 litres of petrol and 18,000 litres of aviation fuel.

Communication services are gradually being restored as well. Authorities said 110 damaged communication towers are now operational, while 75 of 78 damaged towers belonging to Ncell have been brought back into service.

People Continue To Stay In Holding Centres

Thousands of people displaced by the disaster are still living in temporary holding centres.

The latest government update puts the number of people staying in such centres at 3,844. Of these, 2,981 are in Nuwakot, 260 in Dhading and 603 in Rasuwa.

India Steps Up Rescue Efforts In Nepal

An 11-member team of specialised rescue personnel from India has reached the Trishuli Bazaar area with advanced equipment to support ongoing relief operations in Nepal. The team is expected to begin rescue work from Friday in coordination with the Nepali Army, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

India has also sent another consignment of humanitarian aid to Kathmandu. The fifth Indian Air Force flight carrying relief material arrived in the Nepalese capital on Thursday with around 5.5 tonnes of medical supplies, including antibiotics, painkillers, surgical equipment and other essential medicines.

The same aircraft also transported the 11-member rescue team along with more than six tonnes of specialised rescue equipment. With this latest shipment, India’s total relief assistance to Nepal has reached around 74 tonnes, according to the MEA.