1 hr ago
Nepal Floods Leave 1,344 Dead and Nearly 5,000 Missing
A very large flood hit Nepal after an ice-rock avalanche sent water and debris down the Bhotekoshi River.
The disaster destroyed homes, roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
Nepal Police says 1,344 people died and nearly 5,000 are still missing.
More than 13,100 people have been rescued.
Many bodies are difficult to identify because they were damaged, decomposed or found in pieces.
Police are collecting DNA from families who are missing relatives.
More than 1,000 unidentified bodies were buried after samples were taken for possible future identification.
The government says it is providing relief and preparing temporary and longer-term housing.
Another flood later swept away four houses and a bridge in Gorkha, but no one was killed.
Nepal Police reported 1,344 deaths and nearly 5,000 people missing 11 days after the floods.
More than 13,100 people were rescued, but only 98 recovered bodies had been identified and returned to families.
Authorities said damaged, decomposed and partial remains were making identification difficult; more than 1,000 unidentified bodies were buried after DNA collection.
Nepal Police is collecting DNA samples from relatives of missing people to identify unclaimed bodies and human remains.
A new flood in Gorkha swept away four houses and a suspension bridge, while the government promised continued relief and long-term settlement planning.
- Who
- Nepal residents, rescuers, Nepal Police, government officials and families of missing people were involved; Chinese media also reported deaths and missing people on the Chinese side.
- What
- Floods caused 1,344 deaths, left nearly 5,000 people missing and created major challenges in identifying recovered bodies.
- Where
- The disaster affected northern and central Nepal, including districts such as Chitwan, Rasuwa, Gorkha, Dhading and Tanahun; the triggering avalanche occurred near the Nepal-Tibet border.
- When
- The main disaster began on August 26, and the reported figures were given 11 days later; a fresh Gorkha flood occurred early Sunday.
- Why
- An ice-rock avalanche sent a surge of water and debris downstream through the Bhotekoshi River, while a later Namrung Khola overflow caused another flood in Gorkha.
Government assurances
Continuing humanitarian concerns
Relief supplies
Government assurances
Information and Communication Minister Bikram Timilsina said there was no shortage of relief materials and that the government would prevent mismanagement in their distribution.
Continuing humanitarian concerns
The scale of the disaster, disrupted roads and communications, and the need for temporary accommodation in schools and hospitals show the logistical challenges facing affected communities.
Disaster preparedness
Government assurances
The government said it was restoring communication, electricity and roads and preparing long-term settlements for flood victims.
Continuing humanitarian concerns
Timilsina called for climate justice and greater preparedness, while residents near the Budhigandaki River were urged to remain alert after another flood swept away homes and a bridge.
Key facts
- Reported deaths in Nepal
- 1,344
- People still missing
- Nearly 5,000
- People rescued
- More than 13,100
- Bodies identified and returned
- 98
- Unidentified bodies buried
- More than 1,000, after DNA samples were collected
- Children among recovered bodies
- At least 85
- Fresh Gorkha flood
- Four houses and a suspension bridge were swept away; no casualties were reported
Quotes
Bikram Timilsina
Nepal's Information and Communication Minister
“Nepal demands climate justice at this moment and the international community should be serious about this”
rediff.com
Sources
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