Nepal flood death toll rises to 626 as more than 2,400 remain missing

The death toll from severe flooding in northern Nepal has risen to 626, with 2,426 people still unaccounted for, authorities say.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said on August 29 that 4,451 people had been rescued, while 101 injured people were receiving treatment in hospitals, Caliber.Az reports, citing Nepalese media.

Some 15,224 security personnel have been deployed for search, rescue and relief operations. Twenty-seven police officers are among those reported missing.

Police had recovered 616 bodies by 06:00 local time on August 29, including 233 in Chitwan, 158 in Nawalparasi East, 48 in Gorkha and 47 in Nawalparasi West. The national death toll later rose to 626.

Search and rescue operations are continuing across the affected districts, with police working with local residents and other agencies to find missing people and help those stranded by the floods.

Authorities are moving families from high-risk areas to safer locations and clearing roads blocked by flood debris and landslides to restore access for relief operations.

The flooding struck Rasuwa and neighbouring districts on the morning of August 26, sending a powerful surge of water and debris into the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers. Homes, bridges, roads and other infrastructure were swept away, leaving some communities and travellers cut off.

The number of deaths is expected to rise as search teams reach more affected areas and recover further bodies.

By Aghakazim Guliyev