5 days ago
Nepal Flood Death Toll Reaches 579 as Fresh Threat Looms
A huge flash flood hit central Nepal on Wednesday.
It damaged towns, roads, bridges and hydropower projects.
Officials said 579 people had died and 1,924 people were still missing.
Rescue teams used helicopters and searched rivers and downstream communities for survivors and bodies.
Thousands of people were rescued, including tourists and workers trapped in tunnels.
Rescuers had to be careful because more water and mud could cause another flood.
A barrier lake near the Nepal-China border also raised fears that more water could escape.
Nepal stopped examinations and began preparing financial help for affected people and businesses.
Nepal Police reported 579 deaths across eight districts after Wednesday’s flash floods in central Nepal.
Authorities said 1,924 people remained missing, including foreign tourists, security personnel and Nepali travelers.
Rising water and mud near the Bhotekoshi River and a barrier lake prompted warnings of further flooding.
Rescuers reported 4,451 people rescued, while 7,451 security personnel were deployed across affected areas.
Nepal suspended examinations from August 29 and prepared relief, financing and rehabilitation measures for victims and businesses.
- Who
- Residents, travelers, foreign tourists, security personnel, rescue workers and affected businesses in Nepal were involved; Nepali and Chinese authorities issued warnings and coordinated responses.
- What
- Flash floods killed 579 people, left 1,924 missing, damaged infrastructure and created a risk of further flooding.
- Where
- The disaster affected Rasuwa and other parts of central Nepal, with bodies recovered across eight districts and downstream areas including Chitwan, Tanahun, Nawalparasi and Gorkha.
- When
- The main floods struck Wednesday; the death toll and fresh flood warnings were reported Friday, August 28.
- Why
- The flash floods caused widespread destruction, while rising water levels near the Bhotekoshi River and a barrier lake created an additional danger.
Nationally Led Rescue
International Assistance
Rescue strategy
Nationally Led Rescue
Nepal said it wanted to prioritize its own security forces because they understand the country’s rugged terrain and local environmental conditions.
International Assistance
The government said it had not rejected assistance from friendly countries or the international community, although the rescue strategy was based on national capacity and immediate needs.
Continuing operations amid danger
Nationally Led Rescue
Nepali authorities resumed searches using helicopters, ground teams and security personnel, including efforts to evacuate hydropower workers trapped in tunnels.
International Assistance
The NDRRMA urged rescuers and people near the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli areas to remain alert and move to safer places because rising water and mud could trigger another flood.
Key facts
- Reported deaths
- Nepal Police said 579 bodies had been recovered from eight districts; Chinese authorities reported five deaths in Gyirong County.
- People missing
- At least 1,924 people were reported missing, including 86 security personnel, 517 foreign tourists and 127 Nepali travelers.
- People rescued
- Authorities reported 4,451 people rescued, including 129 foreign nationals and 191 people trapped in hydropower-project tunnels.
- Rescue deployment
- Nepal deployed 7,451 security personnel, including 2,391 Nepal Army personnel.
- Fresh flood threat
- The NDRRMA warned that increased water mixed with mud near the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli areas could cause another flood.
- Barrier lake
- China issued a Level-IV alert after about 2 million cubic metres accumulated in a barrier lake, with another 3 million potentially entering over three days.
- Government measures
- Nepal suspended examinations from August 29, while Prime Minister Balendra Shah and cabinet members agreed to donate one month’s salary and prepare relief and rehabilitation assistance.
- Conflicting updates
- One source reported 547 deaths and 977 missing people, while later reports cited 579 deaths and 1,924 missing; reports also differed on whether 84 or 101 injured people were receiving treatment in Kathmandu.
Quotes
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority
Nepal's disaster management authority warning about renewed flooding near the previous flash-flood site
“The water level mixed with mud has increased at the same place where the flash flood occurred on Wednesday, and there is a risk of more flooding in the area.”
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Shisir Khanal
Nepal's foreign minister
“International assistance was not rejected but that the rescue strategy was decided based on national capacity, immediate need and Nepal's unique geographical situation.”
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Sources
Nepal Floods: Death Toll Rises To 579, Nearly 2,000 Missing As Rescue Efforts Intensify
Nepal Flash Floods: Death Toll Rises To 579, Nearly 2,000 Missing As Fresh Flood Threat Compounds Crisis
Death toll rises to 547 in Nepal; fear of fresh floods looms
Death toll rises to 579 amid fresh flood alert
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