Bhote Koshi Flood Death Toll Reaches 1,436, More Than 6,000 Still Missing

The devastating Bhote Koshi flood has left 1,436 people confirmed dead and 6,145 missing, with search and recovery operations continuing in flood affected areas and inside hydropower tunnels in Rasuwa.

The disaster has affected 15 local levels across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Gorkha. Government agencies are carrying out search operations, distributing relief and preparing plans for temporary housing and long term reconstruction for displaced families.

The flood occurred on Bhadra 10 after the flow of the Lhende River suddenly increased, sending a massive volume of water into the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers in Rasuwa.

Authorities said 103 bodies recovered from the banks of the Bhote Koshi, Trishuli and Narayani rivers have so far been identified.

Search Focused On Hydropower Tunnels

Search and recovery teams are currently focusing heavily on the under construction Upper Trishuli 1 Hydropower Project in the Haku and Mailung areas of Rasuwa.

Twenty four bodies have been recovered from the tunnel of the Upper Trishuli 1 project. The bodies were taken to Khampacamp in Ward No. 6 of Bidur Municipality in Nuwakot for identification.

Nuwakot SP Bipin Regmi said efforts are continuing to identify the recovered bodies.

According to Shanti Mahat, Deputy Secretary at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, seven more bodies have been seen inside the tunnel and efforts are underway to recover them.

Officials estimate that recovering the remaining visible bodies could take another three days.

The Nepal Army said some bodies are trapped in iron bars and other structures used for concrete work inside the hydropower project. Rescue teams are using grinders, gas cutters and rotary rescue equipment to reach and recover them.

Chinese Citizen Rescued From Tunnel

One Chinese citizen, identified as Luaito, was rescued alive from about 225 metres inside the Upper Trishuli 1 tunnel on Bhadra 20.

According to the report, 332 people were reported missing from the project area.

Military personnel and foreign tunnel experts are continuing search operations along the seven kilometre section between Audit One and Audit Two inside the Upper Trishuli 1 tunnel.

The route leads towards the project's powerhouse. The project has four such gates.

Search operations are also continuing at the Trishuli 3A and Trishuli 3B projects.

Search Ends For Now At Chilime And Langtang

The initial search operations inside the tunnels of the Chilime and Langtang hydropower projects have been completed.

Rasuwa Chief District Officer Kamal Prasad Pandey said search teams would return to the tunnels if further operations become necessary.

Foreign technicians were among those involved in the search efforts at the two projects.

Five bodies and two human organs were recovered from the Chilime Hydropower tunnel, while two bodies were recovered from the Langtang Khola Hydropower Project tunnel.

Relief Distribution Continues In Affected Areas

Authorities say relief materials are being distributed to families affected and displaced by the flood.

Rasuwa Chief District Officer Pandey said relief supplies have been delivered across the affected areas.

However, some flood affected residents have complained that they have not received enough support. According to residents, relief materials have mainly reached areas with road access while some remote communities have received fewer supplies.

Pandey acknowledged complaints from some residents but said authorities do not currently face a shortage of relief materials.

Relief supplies received from friendly countries are also being stored at Tribhuvan International Airport.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, affected local bodies have reported that they currently have sufficient relief materials. Additional supplies stored at the airport will be sent when needed.

Around 1,600 People Living In Shelters

Around 1,600 flood affected people are estimated to be staying in 24 shelters across Rasuwa and Nuwakot.

Authorities estimate that around 25 percent of the displaced people have alternative land where permanent houses could eventually be constructed.

The government says families with suitable land will receive support for permanent housing under the Private Housing Reconstruction and Resettlement Procedure 2081.

For families without alternative land, authorities will need to make separate arrangements for land acquisition and resettlement.

Government Begins Resettlement Study

A government committee has been formed to identify suitable land for temporary shelters and permanent reconstruction.

The committee is led by Survey Department Director General Prakash Joshi.

It will study where temporary shelters can be built immediately and identify suitable locations for permanent reconstruction.

Authorities have said permanent buildings cannot be reconstructed in locations considered unsafe because of the flood. Reconstruction decisions will therefore depend on the committee's findings.

Families Can Receive Six Months Of Rent Support

The government has introduced two options for temporary housing support.

Families choosing to stay in rented accommodation can receive Rs 15,000 per month for six months.

A family with four members will receive Rs 15,000 per month. Larger families can receive an additional Rs 2,000 under the government arrangement.

Payments will begin after the relevant ward offices identify and verify eligible beneficiaries.

Rs 50,000 Available For Temporary Shelters

Flood affected families who prefer to construct temporary shelters can receive Rs 50,000 from the government.

The money will be provided in two payments.

Temporary houses will need to be constructed on land identified as suitable by the committee led by the Survey Department Director General.

A separate committee led by Mahesh Chandra Neupane, technical joint secretary of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, has been formed to identify beneficiaries seeking rental assistance or support for temporary shelters.

Affected residents can submit a self declaration form or apply through their ward office.

After verification, financial assistance will be provided through the local disaster management fund. Authorities say payments can be transferred to beneficiaries' bank accounts or provided in cash.

Up To Rs 500,000 For House Reconstruction

The government also has separate financial support for families whose homes need to be permanently reconstructed.

Under the Disaster Sensitive Social Security and Relief Standard 2081, eligible families in Himalayan districts can receive Rs 500,000 for house reconstruction.

Families in hilly districts can receive Rs 400,000.

The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development will lead reconstruction work after suitable land has been identified.

Authorities say families that already own alternative land will be supported in rebuilding permanent homes according to the existing reconstruction and resettlement procedure.

Separate decisions will be required for families that do not have suitable land.

Families Of Identified Victims To Receive Rs 200,000

Families of people confirmed and identified as having died in the disaster are eligible to receive Rs 200,000 under the government's existing procedure.

With thousands of people still reported missing, search and recovery operations remain a major priority in Rasuwa and surrounding areas.

At the same time, authorities face the longer term challenge of providing housing, financial assistance and safe resettlement for communities whose homes and land were damaged or destroyed by the flood.