Nepal flood death toll reaches 1,355 as DNA tests help identify victims

Kathmandu,UPDATED: Sep 7, 2026 16:14 IST

Nepal's flash flood death toll rose to 1,355 on Monday as more bodies were recovered from affected areas, authorities said. Rescue teams are still searching for 4,996 people, including at least 589 foreign nationals, while 13,396 people have been rescued so far, according to Nepal's Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.

The flash floods were triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26 and devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal. Floodwaters from the Bhotekoshi River swept away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges and damaged hydropower projects. On the Chinese side, at least 43 people were killed and more than 500 remain missing in Tibet, according to Chinese media reports.

In Nepal, 363 bodies have been recovered in Chitwan district, 222 in Nawalparasi East, 221 in Nawalparasi West, 197 in Nuwakot, 169 in Rasuwa, 75 in Gorkha, 70 in Dhading and 38 in Tanahu, the authority said.

Identification of bodies has emerged as a major challenge. Only 98 bodies had been identified by Monday and handed over to families. Most of the bodies recovered after being swept downstream were severely damaged, decomposed or found only in parts. Police said bodies carried far from the disaster sites, and those that remained in water and mud, had made identification particularly difficult.

Nepal Police has been collecting DNA samples from relatives of missing people to help identify unclaimed bodies and human remains recovered after the floods. Officials said more than 1,000 unidentified bodies had been buried after DNA samples were collected to help with future identification. Hospitals also struggled to cope with the growing number of unidentified bodies, while large crowds gathered at medical facilities carrying photographs of missing relatives and checking images of the dead displayed on walls.

Nepal on Monday observed a national day of mourning on the 13th day of the disaster, after the government declared September 7 a day of mourning to honour the victims. The mourning was observed in keeping with the traditional Hindu practice of marking the 13th day after a death. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Nepal said, "Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and all those affected. India stands with Nepal in this difficult time and will continue to support Nepal's efforts towards search, rescue and relief."

Major rescue operations are under way at hydropower projects in flood-hit districts, where hundreds of men are believed to be trapped in tunnels. Teams of experts from India and China are assisting Nepali authorities. Australian tunnel expert Arnold Dix, who helped rescue 41 workers from India's Silkyara tunnel in 2023, is also helping in the search for people believed to be trapped inside the Chilime hydropower project tunnel.

At the same time, Nepal has stepped up efforts to reassure international tourists that the country remains open for travel, as it tries to prevent the floods from affecting the autumn tourism season and slowing a fragile recovery in the sector. Tourism Minister Khadak Raj Poudel has launched a social media campaign under the hashtag "Nepal Calling", telling foreign visitors that the country remains open and its trekking routes are ready. "Nepal is still open... Our Himalayan trekking routes are still waiting for you," he said in a video message. Tourism contributes about 6.7 per cent to Nepal's GDP directly and indirectly and supports more than one million jobs, with any fall in foreign tourist arrivals likely to affect hotels, trekking agencies, guides, porters, airlines, restaurants and transport operators.

With the death toll continuing to rise, thousands still missing and rescue efforts focused on flood-hit districts and hydropower tunnels, Nepal is dealing with both a humanitarian crisis and the wider impact of the disaster on daily life and the economy.

With PTI Inputs

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