Nepal floods death toll rises to 1,357 as rescue operations continue

The death toll from the devastating flash floods in Nepal rose to 1,357 on Tuesday as security forces recovered more bodies from the affected areas, authorities said.

Rescue teams were continuing their search for 5,326 people, while 13,583 people have been rescued so far, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).

The joint command of the security forces has recovered 363 bodies from Chitawan district, 223 from Nawalparasi East, 222 from Nawalparasi West and 197 from Nuwakot.

Another 169 bodies were recovered from Rasuwa, 75 from Gorkha, 70 from Dhading and 38 from Tanahu, the NDRRMA said.

So far, 102 bodies have been handed over to their families after identification and completion of the required legal formalities, it said.

The floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, sent the Bhotekoshi River surging downstream, washing away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges and damaging hydropower projects across northern and central Nepal.

The disaster also killed at least 43 people on the Chinese side, while more than 500 people remain missing in Tibet, according to Chinese media reports.

Around 3,500 people were staying in government-run holding centres across Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading as of Monday, according to the NDRRMA.

However, many others displaced by the floods have taken shelter wherever possible, including schools, temples, monasteries, vacant office buildings, community buildings and tents erected in forested areas.

Major rescue operations are also underway at hydropower projects in the flood-affected districts, where 121 men are believed to be trapped in underground tunnels.