While the situation remains uncertain as rescue operations continue following the apocalyptic flash floods in Nepal, the death count has increased to 903, while more than 4,000 — including 320 foreign nationals — remain missing, said authorities on Monday.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), 272 bodies have been recovered from Chitwan, 207 from Nawalparasi East, 151 from Nawalparasi West and 62 from Gorkha districts. Further 95 bodies have been recovered from Nuwakot, 55 from Dhading, 37 from Tanahu and 24 from Rasuwa.
A fresh alert has also been issued, as authorities have warned of possible fresh flooding, urging people in affected areas to remain cautious. The alert was sent on people’s phone on Sunday, warning that the water levels in the Bhotekoshi River have increased.
Furthermore, officials said a fresh flood was also reported in the Trishuli River on Sunday, which swept away a suspension bridge that connected Ghyalchowk of Gandaki Rural Municipality-8 in Gorkha district of Gandaki province with Charaudi along the Prithvi Highway.
Nepal facing ‘unimaginable and heartbreaking’ disaster
As the situation remains grim and the constant flood alerts making the rescue operation difficult, Prime Minister Balendra Shah has said that the Himalayan nation is facing an “unimaginable and heartbreaking” disaster. In a late night social media post, Shah said the rescue operation has also become difficult because of the adverse weather, urging people to remain cautious.
“The devastating floods in the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa have made it extremely difficult to collect a complete account of the loss of life, property, and infrastructure,” the 36-year-old rapper-turned-politician said. “Although this task remains challenging due to adverse weather, difficult terrain, and ongoing risks, we are moving forward with determination to protect the lives of the citizens.”
Nepal running out of space in morgues
Nepal is running out of space in morgues, as the death count continues to rise. Authorities have now decided to bury the unidentified and unclaimed bodies after collecting their DNA samples for future identification.
The country that is landlocked between India and China has also accepted foreign assistance in rescue operations. Notably, Nepal had earlier refused foreign assistance but accepted it later following pressure from countries whose national remain missing or stranded in the country.
India’s NDRF and specialised forensics team are in Nepal, assisting the country in rescue operation and identifying the deceased.
“This team will help augment the analysis of DNA samples in Nepal, for identification of the mortal remains of the victims,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. “Subsequently, the team had discussions with counterparts in Nepal Police’s Central Forensic Science Laboratory in Kathmandu and the Forensics Department of the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.”
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