Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Nepal Begins Mass Burials as Flood Death Toll Reaches 903
Flash floods and mudslides caused a very large disaster in Nepal and Bhutan.
Many people died, and thousands are still missing.
Floodwaters carried some bodies far downstream into other rivers.
In Chitwan, many bodies were too damaged or decomposed to identify.
Hospitals and mortuaries did not have enough space to keep them safely.
Officials began placing the unidentified bodies in temporary mass graves.
They are taking DNA samples and marking the graves so families may identify relatives later.
Officials also warned people not to drink river water or eat food from affected areas.
Some survivors blame the government for not warning people early enough, while police say they issued a warning shortly before the flood arrived.
Nepali authorities have begun burying unidentified flood victims in temporary mass graves in Chitwan district.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported 903 deaths and 4,247 missing as of Monday, while another report cited at least 800 deaths and more than 3,000 missing across Nepal and Bhutan.
Police said 272 unidentified and unclaimed bodies had been buried as decomposition accelerated and mortuaries became overwhelmed.
Search teams continue recovering about 10 bodies daily from riverbanks, with strong currents hindering efforts.
Officials are collecting DNA samples and recording burial references and locations to enable future identification and exhumation.
- Who
- Nepali authorities, police, rescue teams and families searching for missing relatives; the disaster also affected Bhutan.
- What
- Authorities began mass burials of unidentified victims after catastrophic flash floods and mudslides.
- When
- Days after the floods; the latest cited casualty report was issued as of Monday.
- Where
- Temporary graves and riverbanks in Chitwan district, Nepal; flooding and casualties were reported across Nepal and Bhutan.
- Why
- Bodies were decomposing rapidly, mortuaries lacked capacity, and officials cited public health concerns and difficulties identifying victims.
Government Critics
Officials and Police
Flood warnings
Government Critics
Several residents and survivors said the government failed to provide an early enough warning, arguing that relatives might have been saved if authorities had alerted communities when the flood began upstream.
Officials and Police
Police said they issued an evacuation warning 15 minutes before the flood struck. Home Minister Sudan Gurung questioned why some residents recorded videos instead of raising an alarm.
Responsibility for the deaths
Government Critics
Survivors directed frustration at the government, particularly Home Minister Sudan Gurung, over the response and lack of earlier warning.
Officials and Police
Authorities emphasized that warnings were issued and that strong river currents, rapidly rising water and limited mortuary capacity complicated rescue and identification efforts.
- Reported deaths
- 903 in the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority report; another account said at least 800.
- Reported missing
- 4,247 according to the authority report; another account said more than 3,000 across Nepal and Bhutan.
- Unidentified burials
- Police said 272 unidentified and unclaimed bodies were buried in mass graves.
- Daily recoveries
- Search teams were recovering about 10 bodies per day from riverbanks.
- Evacuations and injuries
- 10,451 people were evacuated and 267 were reported injured.
- Burial arrangements
- Workers were digging graves 1.5 metres deep and 40 centimetres apart in Chitwan.
- Identification measures
- Authorities are collecting DNA samples, preparing records and marking burial locations for possible future identification.
