Nepal Government Says 9,435 Rescued And 781 Bodies Recovered After Bhotekoshi Floods As Large Scale Relief Operations Continue

Nepal continues to face a major humanitarian crisis following severe flooding in the Bhotekoshi River, with the government reporting that thousands of people have been rescued while hundreds of bodies have been recovered from affected areas.

In a detailed update on the disaster response, the Nepal government said rescue, relief and recovery operations are continuing despite difficult weather, challenging geography and ongoing risks in flood affected areas. Authorities said the full scale of human and physical losses is still being assessed.

According to the government, 9,435 people have so far been rescued through air and land operations and moved to safer locations. A total of 394 rescue and relief flights have been completed, including 72 flights in a single day.

More than 20,000 security personnel have been deployed for the response. The government said 20,618 personnel from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force Nepal are working in affected areas, alongside volunteers and other rescue workers.

Search Continues At Hydropower Projects

Major rescue operations are continuing around hydropower projects in Rasuwa and Nuwakot. The Nepal Army has rescued 279 people from affected hydropower project areas by helicopter, according to the government.

Around the Upper Trishuli 1 project in Rasuwa, 250 people were rescued within two days. Chinese and Korean experts are working with the Nepal Army in the area. A Chinese team has reportedly searched around three kilometres inside a tunnel but has not found anyone so far.

At the Upper Trishuli 3A project in Nuwakot, rescue teams are working to gain further access to a tunnel. A joint team of around 90 personnel, including Nepal Army members, Armed Police Force personnel with trained dogs and Nepal Police experts, has been deployed.

The government said rescuers reached the main section of the tunnel and created an opening measuring around two by three feet. Team members went down using ropes and called out but received no response. Work involving larger equipment and controlled blasting is continuing to widen access.

Rescue operations are also continuing at the Upper Trishuli 3B, Chilime, Langtang Khola and Mailung Khola hydropower projects. Chinese, Indian and Korean specialist teams are supporting Nepali security forces in different locations.

267 Injured Rescued For Treatment

The government said 267 injured people have been rescued from flood affected areas and taken to local hospitals and different medical facilities in Kathmandu.

Of them, 156 people have already been discharged, while other injured patients are continuing to receive treatment. Medical teams have also been sent from Kathmandu to provide treatment and psychological support in affected communities.

Authorities are working to restore services at health facilities that were disrupted by the disaster.

781 Bodies Recovered

The government said 781 bodies have been recovered following the floods. The Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force are assisting with the management and identification of the bodies.

Bodies that have been identified are being handed over to their families. For bodies that cannot be identified, authorities are following legal procedures while preserving DNA and other information that could help with future identification.

26 Relief Centres Operating

Relief supplies are being transported to affected communities by both air and land routes. Supplies collected at Tribhuvan International Airport's warehouse, the District Administration Office Kathmandu and the Nepal Police Disaster Management Training Centre in Samakhusi have been transported to distribution points in Nuwakot and Rasuwa.

The government said 26 temporary shelters and relief distribution centres are currently operating across Rasuwa and Nuwakot. On Sunday alone, 3,454 people received temporary shelter and relief through these centres.

Authorities are coordinating with district disaster management bodies and the Bagmati Province government to distribute stored relief supplies to affected communities.

More Than Rs 5.24 Billion Collected

Financial support for flood victims is also being collected through government relief funds.

According to the government, Rs 5.24 billion had been deposited across nine commercial bank accounts under the Prime Minister Relief Fund by midday. An additional US$2.1 million had been deposited in accounts at Himalayan Bank and Laxmi Bank.

The government said discussions are underway on how the collected money can be used effectively to support affected communities and recovery efforts.

International Support

Several countries and international organisations have pledged financial, technical and humanitarian assistance to Nepal.

According to the government statement, the Asian Development Bank has pledged US$5 million in grant budget support and another US$150,000 in technical assistance. The World Bank has pledged US$167 million in concessional financing.

The United States government has pledged US$500,000, while Australia has pledged US$1 million in cash support. Switzerland has also provided 1 million Swiss francs to be used through the United Nations.

India has delivered 68.5 tonnes of humanitarian assistance and essential medicines in four phases. India also sent a 230 foot single lane modular steel bridge and has committed to providing seven additional Bailey bridges.

Nepal has also requested 30 Bailey bridges from China, while additional humanitarian assistance from China and the United States is expected.

Communication Services Being Restored

Communication networks damaged by the floods are gradually returning to service.

The government said 20 satellite phones provided with support from the Nepal Telecommunications Authority have been sent to affected areas.

Before the disaster, Nepal Telecom had 120 BTS towers operating in the affected areas and Ncell had 78. Flooding disrupted 38 Nepal Telecom towers and 27 Ncell towers.

According to the latest government figures, 106 Nepal Telecom towers and 75 Ncell towers are now operating. Work is continuing to restore the remaining services.

Roads Remain A Major Challenge

Floodwaters have severely damaged major roads, forcing authorities to open alternative routes to connect affected communities.

However, rising water levels in the Bhotekoshi River and new landslides have also affected some alternative roads. Road transport has been disrupted around the Krishnabhir area following further erosion.

Government agencies say teams are working to reopen damaged roads as quickly as conditions allow.

The Nepal government has said search and rescue operations, relief distribution, treatment, infrastructure restoration and support for displaced families will continue. It has also promised to continue rehabilitation and reconstruction work until affected communities can recover from the disaster.