Nepal floods: Death toll rises to 538, 977 people still missing, including 320 Indians, government confirms | Today’s news
Flash floods in Nepal: 977 people are feared missing after a devastating flash flood hit areas near the Nepal-Tibet border this Wednesday morning. The official death toll has risen to 538, according to the latest update from Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Agency.
Of the 538 bodies found, the highest number was recorded in Chitwan area with 221. It was followed by 134 in Nawalparasi East.
320 Indian citizens are missing in Nepal
Meanwhile, at least 400 Indian citizens are stranded in Nepal after flash floods.
MEA update
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Flash floods in Nepal were triggered by the collapse of a glacier across the border in Tibet, leading to rising water along the Trishuli River. This event occurred without an earthquake, but produced seismic waves similar to a 5.2 earthquake.
The death toll has risen dramatically due to the rapid and destructive nature of the flash floods, which have left at least 538 confirmed dead and nearly 1,000 people reported missing, causing widespread chaos in the affected areas.
The Nepalese government has rejected international bids for search and rescue teams, preferring to run operations through its own security agencies, learning from the 2015 earthquake.
Foreign governments, including India and the US, have offered financial aid and resources to support Nepal’s recovery efforts, with India seeking to deploy its National Disaster Response Force, which Nepal has so far declined.
Yes, travelers should be aware that climate change is increasing the frequency of natural disasters in Nepal, including flash floods, as evidenced by recent events linked to glacial instability in the Himalayas.
On Friday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs updated that around 320 Indian nationals were still missing.
Recently, 21 Indians from Tamil Nadu were rescued, followed by 63 Indian workers in the Trishuli One hydropower project. Additionally, 96 Indian nationals stranded on the Chinese side have entered Nepal.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal updated during the briefing: “21 Indian nationals who arrived in Kathmandu yesterday from the flood affected area landed in Delhi today. These 21 Indian nationals are from Tamil Nadu… Yesterday our ambassador met them in Kathmandu and inquired about their well-being. They are working on the Trishuli One hydro project. They were also rescued yesterday.
“Apart from these 21 and 63, we have learned that 96 Indian nationals stranded on the Chinese side have safely crossed to Nepal by land. Efforts are on to evacuate them… As for the number of people we are unable to contact or who are missing, it is 320 at the moment… There are also about 100 people of Indian origin who may remain uncontactable. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, but they have different nationalities.
46 bodies or human remains were found in Gorkha, 37 in Nuwakot, 33 in Dhading, 28 in Tanahun, 27 in Nawalparasi West and 12 in Rasuwa, according to NDRRMA.
The number of reported missing persons is 977. These include foreign nationals, Nepali citizens living abroad who were visiting the country, security personnel and government officials.
About 517 foreign nationals are still reported missing. Only 161 people were reported missing through the Rasuwa District Emergency Operations Center (DEOC).
Another 127 who were reported missing are Nepali citizens living abroad who were visiting friends and family, while 66 were reported missing through the Makwanpur DEOC.
Also on the missing list are 45 Nepal Army personnel, 28 Nepal Police personnel, 15 Customs personnel, 13 Nepal Armed Forces personnel, four Immigration Department personnel and one person reported through Nuwakot DEOC.
At least 73 people were injured, including 43 in Rasuwa, 27 in Nuwakot and three in Dhading.
