The death toll from the August 26 flash flood has reached 1,400, with the latest figures confirming that 1,403 bodies have been retrieved from the affected areas. On September 4, four bodies were recovered from a hydropower project tunnel. Although authorities initially estimated the number of missing persons at around 5,000, they stated on September 15 that 6,150 people remain unaccounted for.
Most notably, 1,677 local residents and 1,836 individuals from other districts are missing in Rasuwa. Similarly, authorities report that 796 local residents and 1,310 residents from other districts remain missing in Nuwakot. In addition, 636 foreign nationals visiting Nepal on holiday are missing after being caught in the flood.
In political developments, Rastriya Swatantra Party Chairman Rabi Lamichhane held an all-party meeting to establish a joint mechanism overseeing relief and rescue operations. Although parties had agreed to form such a committee shortly after the Bhote Koshi flood, progress was delayed; however, they have now agreed to set up the mechanism within a week.
Meanwhile, the government has constituted a seven-member expert study committee to determine the scientific basis and causes of the floods in the Bhote Koshi River. The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation formed the committee on Wednesday under the coordination of water policy and governance expert Devesh Belbase. According to Ministry spokesperson Mohan Kumar Shakya, the committee includes hydrologist Dr. Narendra Man Shakya, glaciologist Dr. Rijan Bhakta Kayastha, remote sensing expert Dr. Uttam Babu Shrestha, geologist Dr. Meghraj Dhital, hydropower infrastructure specialist Dr. Hari Pandit, and disaster risk reduction expert Anil Pokharel. The ministry confirmed that the committee will conduct a field study spanning from the flood's origin through the entire riverside area.
On the health front, a risk of communicable diseases has emerged across the flood-affected regions. Infections such as the common cold, cough, and diarrhea have begun spreading in affected local areas, including Rasuwa and Nuwakot. According to the Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene, fever and cold/cough patients account for the largest proportion of cases, peaking at 66 reported cases.
Kamal Dev Bhattarai
