Nepal flash flood death toll climbs to 1,252

The death toll from Nepal's devastating flash floods rose to 1,252 on Thursday, September 3, as more bodies were recovered from affected areas while thousands remained missing more than a week after the disaster struck, police said.

According to data released by Nepal Police, 355 bodies were recovered from Chitawan district, 218 from Nawalparasi East, and 208 from Nawalparasi West and the latter figure including 18 bodies recovered from India and handed over to Nawalparasi West authorities. Another 177 bodies were recovered from Nuwakot district, the data showed.

Additionally, 127 bodies were recovered from Rasuwa district, 69 from Gorkha, 60 from Dhading and 38 from Tanahu, according to the police data.

Joint rescue teams led by the Nepal Army continued search and rescue operations for the ninth consecutive day on Thursday, September 3, with the number of missing people estimated at 4,875, officials said.

The flash floods were triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, devastating towns and villages across northern and central Nepal and leaving a trail of destruction, besides thousands missing.