Nepal flash floods death toll hits 675 as 2,400 remain missing

A glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border unleashed flash floods across central Nepal. The disaster has devastated communities and intensified a massive rescue effort amid fresh rain.

In Short

• An ice-rock avalanche after glacial collapse triggered the devastating torrent
• Water, mud and debris destroyed settlements, roads and hydropower stations downstream
• Bodies were recovered across all eight affected districts, police said

The death toll from the flash floods in central Nepal rose to 675 on Saturday, with more bodies being recovered as search and rescue operations continued. More than 2,400 people were still missing after the disaster, police said.

The floods were triggered on Wednesday by an ice-rock avalanche following a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border. The torrent of water, mud and debris swept downstream through central Nepal, wiping out towns and villages, damaging key infrastructure and washing away hydropower stations.

According to a statement by Nepal Police, bodies of flood victims were recovered from all eight affected districts. Of the 675 bodies recovered so far, 246 were found in Chitawan, 165 in Nawalparasi East, 63 in Nawalparasi West and 57 in Gorkha. Another 45 bodies were recovered from Dhading, 51 from Nuwakot, 35 from Tanahu and 13 from Rasuwa district.

Nearly 2,500 people, including 163 foreigners, were evacuated as rescue teams led by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority raced against time amid on-and-off rainfall in the affected regions. More than 11,000 security personnel, including over 5,000 Nepal Army personnel, have been mobilised for search and rescue operations.

The NDRRMA also urged people not to fly drones in the flood-hit areas where rescue and relief work is under way. "Our attention has been drawn that there are reports about flying drone by some individuals and organisations without the permission from the local administration at a time when rescue and relief works are in progress," it said, warning of legal action if the law is breached. Overall, the disaster has left hundreds dead, thousands missing and triggered a large rescue operation across central Nepal.

With PTI Inputs

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