The death toll from Nepal’s flash flood has reached 1,342, with 4,916 people remaining missing, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. The government continues search and rescue operations.
Specialized tunnel rescue teams from India, China, and South Korea are coordinating with the Nepali Army to locate stranded workers using international aid equipment, including drones, heavy load carriers, and specialized gear.
Reinforcing the joint effort, an 11-member Special Malaysian Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) arrived with nine requested high-capacity drones to support ongoing subterranean search operations.
Additional equipment and technical personnel are being deployed to continue search and rescue operations at the affected hydropower projects, including Upper Trishuli 1, Upper Trishuli 3A, Upper Trishuli 3B, Chilime, Rasuwagadhi and Langtang, among others.
Slight discrepancies between Police and Authority data have created some confusion. As of 6 PM on September 6, only 98 bodies have been identified and handed over to their families.
Nepal has further requested for high capacity drones, LiDAR, bailey bridges, items for epidemic prevention, DNA testing kits, bags for human remains, flood rescue truck, mobile air traffic control system, ground penetrating radar, high accuracy laser meter, broadband seismometers, high-capacity surge pump, laboratory freezers, mud rescue complete suit, inflatable walkway, mud lance, rescue sled, among others.
The total number of treated injured people has reached 6,083, while 3,912 displaced individuals are living in holding centers, for whom the government will need to build temporary housing. Over 13,000 people have been rescued over the past 12 days. Authorities have restored electricity to 78 percent of Rasuwa, 96 percent of Nuwakot, and 99 percent of Dhading.
The Nepal government has begun discussions regarding the post-flood recovery and reconstruction assistance it requires. In a meeting with Cho Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal stated that following humanitarian assistance and the supply of relief materials, the government's next priority is building back resilient, durable, and better infrastructure.
A preliminary assessment conducted under the Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) indicates that approximately 7,570 houses—affecting around 32,933 people—and 48 government offices have been damaged. Similarly, 55 kilometers of roads, 37 motorable bridges, and 68 suspension bridges have suffered damage.
Approximately 1,806 hectares of agricultural land, 13 hydropower projects, one solar power plant, and two transmission lines have also been affected. The assessment further indicates that 783 MW of hydropower generation capacity has been disrupted.
Reports indicate that sufficient relief materials have not reached some rural areas of Rasuwa due to road blockages. Relief supplies are piling up in Nuwakot, and the pace of delivering them to affected areas remains sluggish. Local governments are complaining about the federal government’s failure to dispatch relief materials.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah and Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal are likely to discuss international assistance for post-flood recovery and reconstruction during bilateral meetings on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York during the third week of this month.
Meanwhile, Gagan Kumar Thapa has advised PM Dahal to prepare thoroughly before attending the UN General Assembly, and to speak based on facts and evidence. The Prime Minister is expected to raise the issue of climate justice—a recurring agenda brought up by successive prime ministers.
Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested high-capacity drones, LiDAR, Bailey bridges, epidemic prevention items, DNA testing kits, body bags, flood rescue trucks, a mobile air traffic control system, ground-penetrating radar, high-accuracy laser meters, broadband seismometers, high-capacity surge pumps, laboratory freezers, complete mud rescue suits, inflatable walkways, mud lances, and rescue sleds, among other items.
Continuous rain has closed multiple highways, raising fears of supply chain disruptions in Kathmandu. Authorities are working to reopen these routes. The government is also struggling to manage the cooking gas supply for Kathmandu residents as complaints about shortages increase.
Various ministries are working to amend laws to expedite the construction of temporary shelters, the relocation of settlements to safe places, and the building of permanent housing for flood victims. Legal hurdles and red tape remain major obstacles delaying recovery and reconstruction efforts.
The government has formed a committee to identify land for rehabilitating victims and plans to relocate settlements located in high-risk zones.
With two vital border crossings—Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani—remaining closed, trade has been diverted to the Korala border point. However, this diversion is likely to trigger inflation due to increased transportation costs.
The tourism sector has been severely hit by damage to hotels and infrastructure, with over 150 hotels along river corridors swept away. Mansarovar pilgrimages through this route have been halted, significantly impacting high-end tourism. Several trekking routes remain blocked, and the likelihood of tourists visiting the region remains slim due to fears of potential secondary flooding.
Kamal Dev Bhattarai
