Nepal flood death toll rises to 734; almost 2,500 still missing as rescue operations continue

The death toll from the devastating flash floods in Nepal rose to 734 on Sunday, while 2,498 people remained missing as rescue teams continued searching riverbanks, debris-covered settlements and hydropower project sites. The latest figures released by Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) showed a sharp increase from Saturday’s toll of 675. The number of missing also rose from 2,426 to 2,498. Chitwan has recorded the highest number of recovered bodies at 259, followed by Nawalparasi East with 184 and Nawalparasi West with 82. The missing include hundreds of foreign nationals.

275 Indians remain missing

India’s Ministry of External Affairs said 108 Indian nationals have so far been rescued from flood-affected areas in Nepal, while 275 remain missing or out of contact. Contact has also been restored with around 50 Indians who had previously been listed as uncontactable.

Meanwhile, 598 Indian nationals have crossed safely into Nepal from China over the past two days, according to information received from local authorities. Around 900 Indians remain on the Chinese side but are safe and in contact with the Indian Embassy in Beijing. Another 128 Persons of Indian Origin remain unaccounted for in Nepal.

India steps up rescue assistance

India has expanded its relief and rescue operation in Nepal, sending specialised personnel and equipment to assist local authorities. A fourth Indian Air Force flight carrying 11 tonnes of emergency assistance was sent to Kathmandu. The consignment included search-and-rescue equipment as well as a team of forensic specialists and equipment for DNA analysis to help identify victims.

India has now sent 68.5 tonnes of relief material to Nepal. A specialised Indian technical team for tunnel reconnaissance has also begun work in the affected areas. A separate tunnel rescue team with specialised equipment is expected to assist operations following an assessment of the sites. Equipment for a 230-foot single-lane modular steel bridge has reached Nepal in 16 trucks. India is also preparing to supply equipment for seven additional Bailey bridges to help restore connectivity in areas where roads and bridges have been destroyed.

Bhotekoshi rises again

Rescue operations faced a fresh challenge on Sunday after water levels in the Bhotekoshi River began rising again. Nepalese authorities warned search-and-rescue personnel working in affected districts to exercise caution. Communities in vulnerable areas have also been asked to remain alert. The Bhotekoshi, which flows south from the Himalayan border region, carried enormous quantities of water and debris downstream during Wednesday’s disaster before feeding into the Trishuli river system.

The floods have devastated settlements, hydropower facilities, roads and bridges across central Nepal, leaving rescue teams struggling to reach several affected locations.

Search continues for thousands

More than 100 workers are believed to be trapped inside hydropower tunnels, making the sites a major focus of rescue operations. Hundreds of workers associated with hydropower projects remain among those missing. Rescue personnel are continuing to search through thick mud and debris despite difficult conditions and renewed concerns over river levels. Authorities are simultaneously working to identify recovered bodies, including through DNA profiling, as families continue searching for relatives four days after the disaster. The scale of the missing-persons list means search, identification and recovery operations are expected to remain the immediate priority as Nepal confronts one of its deadliest natural disasters in recent years.