Stories
Nepal Flash Floods: Search Continues for 6,000 Missing Four Weeks Later
- •Search operations are ongoing in Nepal for approximately 6,000 people still unaccounted for nearly four weeks after devastating flash floods.
- •The floods, originating near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, killed over 1,400 in Nepal and 43 in China, with 500+ missing on the Chinese side.
- •Rescuers recovered 17 bodies from a tunnel at the Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower project, found trapped in mesh and buried in mud.
- •The disaster severely damaged roads and bridges; 12 suspension bridges are being repaired, while 33 others require full reconstruction.
- •Identifying the deceased is a major challenge due to severe damage and decomposition, making DNA testing crucial but time-consuming; nearly 1,300 bodies have been temporarily buried after DNA collection.
Key Questions Answered
Search operations are continuing in Nepal for approximately 6,000 people who remain unaccounted for nearly four weeks after devastating flash floods killed over 1,400 people. Rescuers are searching river stretches, debris fields, and damaged hydropower projects in districts like Rasuwa.
Identifying the dead has been a major challenge because many recovered bodies are severely damaged, decomposed, or fragmented. With only about 110 bodies handed over to families after visual identification, authorities have collected DNA samples and temporarily buried nearly 1,300 bodies for forensic comparison.
The Nepali government has started repair work on 12 suspension bridges along the Trishuli corridor connecting Nuwakot and Dhading, aiming to reopen them by October 6. Additionally, tenders have been invited to reconstruct another 33 suspension bridges that were completely destroyed beyond repair.
