Nepal floods: 2,400 still missing as rescue ops enter fourth day

Nepal's Foreign Minister, Shisir Khanal, has said that approximately 2,400 people remain unaccounted for following the catastrophic flash floods that struck the Bhote Koshi River on 26 August. The announcement came on Saturday as search and rescue operations entered their fourth day.

Speaking at a news conference in Kathmandu, Khanal described the response as the government's national priority. He stated that all available resources have been mobilised for search, rescue, relief, and recovery operations, with a particular focus on locating those still missing, including both Nepali and foreign nationals.

According to the minister, over 4,451 people have been rescued from the affected region, including more than 187 foreign nationals. So far, 626 bodies have been recovered. Authorities later updated the figures, indicating a combined death toll of 676 in Nepal and Tibet, with nearly 3,000 people reported missing. Chinese authorities have confirmed seven deaths and over 550 missing on their side of the border.

Khanal noted that river systems and downstream flood risks are being continuously monitored, with systems on high alert for any additional threats. He added that a detailed assessment of the extensive damage to critical infrastructure, houses, road networks, bridges, and hydropower facilities is underway.

Given the scale of the devastation, the minister said Nepal anticipates requiring international assistance for rehabilitation and reconstruction. He also confirmed that specific support has been requested from friendly neighbours, including an 11-member specialised technical reconnaissance team for tunnel rescue from India, which has already been mobilised, and a tunnel rescue team from China expected to arrive shortly.