Kathmandu, Sept 1:
The death toll from the devastating flash floods in Nepal rose to 987 on Tuesday, as security forces recovered more bodies from several affected districts. Authorities said 3,916 people, including 583 foreigners, remain missing.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said the latest fatalities were recorded across eight districts. The highest number of bodies was recovered from Chitwan (321), followed by Nawalparasi East (216), Nawalparasi West (170) and Nuwakot (95).
The floods, triggered by a massive ice-and-rock avalanche following a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border, swept through towns and villages, destroying roads, bridges, homes and hydropower infrastructure.
More than 11,000 people have been rescued, while over 22,000 security personnel have been deployed for search and rescue operations. At least 16 helicopters are also involved in the rescue effort.
The scale of the disaster has made rescue operations extremely difficult, with landslides, damaged roads and debris cutting off several remote areas. Officials fear the death toll could rise further as rescuers reach isolated locations.