SRINAGAR: The death toll from the devastating flash floods that struck Nepal last month has climbed to 1,451, while around 6,000 people remain missing, authorities said on Sunday.
According to Nepal Police, more bodies have been recovered from several flood-hit areas since the August 26 disaster, taking the confirmed death toll to 1,451.
The floods originated near the Nepal-Tibet border before surging downstream through the Bhotekoshi River, causing widespread destruction across northern and central Nepal. Homes, vehicles, roads and bridges were swept away, while several hydropower projects were damaged.
Chitwan recorded the highest number of recovered bodies at 367, followed by Rasuwa with 236, Nawalparasi East with 232 and Nawalparasi West with 222, police said.
Another 203 bodies were recovered from Nuwakot, 79 from Gorkha, 72 from Dhading and 38 from Tanahu. Two victims also died in hospitals in Kathmandu while undergoing treatment.
Authorities said 13,784 people affected by the floods have so far been rescued from different parts of the country.
The search for those missing continues along river stretches, debris fields and around damaged hydropower projects, particularly in Rasuwa and neighbouring districts.
The disaster has also left large parts of the affected region struggling with damaged roads and bridges, hampering relief and recovery operations.
Identifying the victims has emerged as another major challenge. Authorities said only around 110 of the recovered bodies have so far been identified and handed over to their families.
Officials said many bodies recovered after being swept downstream were severely damaged, decomposed or recovered only partially, making identification through facial features, clothing and personal belongings difficult.
Nearly 1,300 bodies have been temporarily buried after DNA samples were collected, authorities said.
The floods also killed 43 people on the Chinese side of the border, while more than 500 people remain missing there, according to Chinese media reports.
