Kathmandu, Sept 12:
The death toll from the devastating flash floods in Nepal rose to 1,385 on Friday, with rescuers continuing their search for more than 5,000 people reported missing.
The floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, caused widespread destruction across northern and central parts of Nepal, sweeping through towns and villages and destroying homes, roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said the highest number of bodies had been recovered from Chitwan district, where 364 deaths were recorded. Nawalparasi East reported 228 deaths, followed by Nawalparasi West with 222, Nuwakot with 199 and Rasuwa with 185.
Gorkha reported 77 deaths, Dhading 70 and Tanahu 38. Two victims died in Kathmandu while undergoing treatment.
The joint command of security personnel has continued search and rescue operations in the affected regions. The number of missing people was estimated at 5,130.
Officials said 13,676 people had so far been rescued from different areas.
The disaster also affected Nepalese citizens working in neighbouring China. At least 703 Nepalese nationals stranded in China returned home through the Tatopani border point in Sindhupalchok.
Of those who returned, 205 were women and 498 were men, according to figures released by the Sindhupalchok district administration.
The Bhotekoshi River, which flows south from the Himalayan border region, carried the floodwaters downstream, causing extensive damage. Homes, vehicles, roads and bridges were swept away and several hydropower projects were damaged.
The disaster also caused heavy casualties on the Chinese side of the border. At least 43 people were reported dead in China, while more than 500 remained missing in Tibet, according to Chinese media reports.
Rescue teams continue to search affected areas as authorities face the difficult task of recovering bodies, tracing missing people and assessing the full extent of the destruction.