Kathmandu, September 4
The death toll from the devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa and the wider disaster has reached 1,287, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.
The authority’s latest update, released at noon on Friday, puts the preliminary estimate of economic damage and losses from the disaster at Rs 387.54 billion.
It said Rs 7.15 billion would be required for early recovery alone.
Chitwan records highest number of recovered bodies
Of the 1,287 bodies recovered by Friday noon, the highest number was found in Chitwan. Only 96 of the recovered bodies have so far been identified.
The district-wise breakdown is as follows:
| District | Bodies recovered |
| Chitwan | 359 |
| Nawalparasi (East) | 219 |
| Nawalparasi (West) | 212 |
| Nuwakot | 184 |
| Rasuwa | 140 |
| Gorkha | 72 |
| Dhading | 63 |
| Tanahun | 38 |
| Total | 1,287 |
More than 5,000 still unaccounted for
According to the authority, 5,083 people remain unaccounted for following the Bhotekoshi floods and landslides, including 583 foreign nationals.
The list includes 2,130 people from Rasuwa and 2,340 from Nuwakot. The authority said the list may also include unidentified bodies.
A total of 5,397 people have been injured in the disaster. They are receiving treatment at various hospitals and through medical teams from the Nepali Army and Armed Police Force.
Security agencies have so far rescued 13,093 people and taken them to safety, including 303 foreign nationals.
On Friday, two people were rescued alive from the tunnel of the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project.
For rescue and relief operations, the Nepali Army has conducted 830 helicopter flights, while the private sector has conducted 129 flights.
Thousands of homes and infrastructure damaged
The preliminary assessment shows extensive damage to homes and public infrastructure. A total of 7,570 private houses have been damaged, while 48 government structures, 18 schools and seven health facilities have suffered partial or complete damage. T
he disaster has also completely damaged 55 kilometres of roads, while 37 motorable bridges and 68 suspension bridges have been damaged.
More than 21,000 security personnel deployed
A total of 21,421 security personnel have been mobilised across the country for disaster management.
This includes 9,287 personnel from the Nepali Army, 7,931 from Nepal Police and 4,203 from the Armed Police Force.
Relief supplies have also been transported to affected areas. From Kathmandu, 69 trucks and 38 Boleros have carried food and non-food items.
The Armed Police Force has delivered relief to Nuwakot and Rasuwa through 163 air sorties.
The government has provided immediate cash relief of Rs10 million each to Rasuwa and Nuwakot, Rs5 million to Dhading and Rs135 million to 15 affected local governments.
Communication services gradually restored
Communication services disrupted by the floods are gradually being restored.
According to the authority, 116 of Nepal Telecom’s 120 towers and 75 of Ncell’s 78 towers are now operational.
