NEPAL FLOOD DEATH TOLL RISES TO 1,453 AS MORE THAN 5,000 REMAIN MISSING

September 26, 2026

KATHMANDU: At least 1,453 people have died and 5,285 remain unaccounted for a month after devastating flash floods struck parts of central and northern Nepal. Authorities are continuing search operations while struggling to identify recovered remains and restore road connectivity to isolated communities.

The floods began on August 26 following heavy rainfall near the Nepal-Tibet border, sending the Bhotekoshi River downstream and sweeping away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges. Several hydropower projects were also damaged. Nepal's disaster management authority said 13,795 people had been rescued, while 1,113 survivors remained in 21 holding centres.

Identification of the dead has emerged as a major challenge. Only 112 of the 1,453 recovered bodies have so far been identified and handed over to relatives. Many remains were badly damaged or fragmented, prompting Nepal Police to rely on DNA profiling. Police have collected 1,329 DNA samples from recovered remains and 2,060 samples from relatives of missing people.

The disaster also caused extensive infrastructure damage. Around 40 kilometres of roads and 41 motorable bridges between Rasuwa and Dhading were destroyed, according to the Department of Roads. Authorities are constructing temporary tracks and Bailey bridges, while work continues to restore key routes, including the Galchhi-Syabrubesi section.

Recovery efforts have been further complicated by fresh rainfall and landslides. Several sections of the Prithvi Highway in Dhading have been blocked or reduced to single-lane traffic, while search teams continue operations at damaged hydropower projects where workers remain missing.