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Prime Minister Balendra Shah said Nepal was using all state machinery to rescue flood-hit citizens. The statement came as the death toll reached 675 and thousands remained missing, underscoring the scale of the disaster.
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Kathmandu,UPDATED: Aug 29, 2026 23:09 IST
Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah said on Saturday that the government stands with people affected by the floods and that saving every citizen's life remains its top priority. His remarks came as the death toll from flash floods in central Nepal rose to 675, while more than 2,400 people were still missing as more bodies continued to be recovered.
In a social media post, Shah said the government was taking the massive loss of life and property caused by the floods very seriously. He said the damage had hit Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and other downstream areas, and added that search, rescue and relief operations had been stepped up.
"It is the first priority of the state to save the life of each and every citizen through the mobilisation of all the state mechanism," he said. Despite bad weather and difficult terrain, 7,514 people had been evacuated to safety by air and land routes till Saturday evening, he said.
Shah said 279 people trapped at various hydropower project sites had been rescued, and efforts were under way to evacuate the rest. He added that Indian and Chinese experts had also been deployed for rescue operations in coordination with the Nepal Army.
According to the prime minister, 16 helicopters, including those of the Nepal Army and private companies, were being used in rescue work, and 236 flights had been carried out so far. A total of 18,708 security personnel, including Nepal Army personnel, had been mobilised for search and rescue operations. "We are also receiving support and assistance from the international community in the rescue works," he said.
He said temporary accommodation had been arranged for around 3,500 displaced people in schools and community buildings, and that food and other daily essentials were being provided by the authorities. Free treatment had also been arranged for injured people, while psychological counselling was being provided to those in need. Overall, Shah said the government was continuing rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts as the flood toll climbed and thousands remained unaccounted for.
With PTI Inputs
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Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Aug 29, 2026 23:09 IST
