Kathmandu, Aug 30: The death toll from devastating flash floods in central Nepal rose to 734 on Sunday, while nearly 2,500 people remain missing, authorities said.
Rescue teams continued searching for survivors and recovering bodies across all eight affected districts, five days after the disaster struck.
The flash floods were triggered by an ice-rock avalanche following a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border. The resulting torrent of water, mud and debris swept through towns and villages, causing widespread destruction and damaging roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), 259 bodies have been recovered from Chitwan, 184 from Nawalparasi East, 82 from Nawalparasi West and 58 from Gorkha.
Another 52 bodies were recovered from Nuwakot, 50 from Dhading, 36 from Tanahu and 13 from Rasuwa.
The NDRRMA said 2,498 people remain missing, including 85 security personnel and 320 foreign nationals.
Rescue operations have so far evacuated 8,186 people from the affected areas, including 227 foreigners, as authorities continue efforts to locate those still stranded or missing.
