Rescue teams in Nepal persist with their efforts to locate nearly 5,000 individuals reported missing, as of Sunday, September 6, 2026. This follows the catastrophic floods that severely affected various regions of the country 11 days prior. According to Nepal Police, the death toll has reached 1,344, while over 13,100 people have been successfully rescued from danger.

The floods resulted from an ice-rock avalanche occurring near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26. This incident caused an immense flow of water and debris along the Bhotekoshi River, leading to widespread destruction in both northern and central Nepal. Settlements experienced devastating impacts, with numerous homes, vehicles, roads, bridges, and hydropower infrastructure being washed away.

Casualties have also been reported on the Chinese side of the border, where at least 21 people have died, and over 500 remain unaccounted for in Tibet, as per local media sources. The situation highlights the transboundary effects of the disaster.

Challenges in Identifying Victims

Efforts to identify the deceased have presented substantial difficulties for authorities. Of the bodies recovered in Nepal, approximately 85 were identified as children, while around 500 bodies were found with missing body parts. Many of these remains were discovered far from the disaster site, seriously damaged or decomposed, complicating their identification.

The Nepal Police reported that bodies exposed to water and mud for prolonged periods have been especially challenging to identify accurately. Only 98 of the deceased have thus far been recognised and returned to their families. To aid in this process, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority of Nepal has initiated a DNA sampling programme for relatives of missing individuals. Families can provide their samples at the Nepal Police Hospital in Kathmandu or at local district police offices.

Chitwan district has recorded the highest number of identified bodies, with 362 confirmed, while other significantly affected districts include Nawalparasi East, Nawalparasi West, Nuwakot, Rasuwa, Gorkha, Dhading, and Tanahun. These figures reflect the widespread impact of the disaster across various regions.

New Flooding Raises Additional Concerns

A fresh wave of flooding struck Gorkha district on the morning of September 6, sweeping away four houses and a suspension bridge. Fortunately, there have been no reports of casualties associated with this incident. The flood occurred in Chumnubri Rural Municipality-4, triggered by the overflow of the Namrung Khola river.

As residents observed the advancing floodwaters, they successfully evacuated to safety before their homes were destroyed. Authorities speculate that a temporary blockage in the river’s source may have released a surge of water and debris downstream, exacerbating the situation.

The Namrung Khola flows into the Budhigandaki River, prompting officials to advise residents along the Budhigandaki to stay vigilant. Widespread damage has been reported in the wider Namrung area, where two small hydropower projects have suffered significant impact and transport routes have been disrupted following the loss of the suspension bridge.

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