Kathmandu, August 28 (HS): The death toll in the devastating Bhotekoshi flood in Nepal has risen to 469, while 2,381 people remain missing, including 644 foreign nationals, authorities said on Friday.

Bodies have so far been recovered from eight districts, with the highest number of deaths reported from Chitwan and Nawalparasi East. As per the details available, 178 deaths were recorded in Chitwan and 110 in Nawalparasi East.

Identification of bodies has begun in Chitwan, while search operations have been intensified in Rasuwa.

Among the missing foreign nationals are 178 Indians, 65 Americans, 53 Ukrainians, 51 Malaysians, 35 Australians, 33 Britons and 25 Canadians. In addition, 127 Nepali citizens living abroad, who had returned to the country as visitors, have also been reported missing.

Authorities have warned of a fresh flood threat after satellite imagery showed the Lhende stream blocked upstream of Rasuwagadhi, resulting in the formation of a lake. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) cautioned that a breach could trigger another major flood downstream.

Residents living along the Lhende, Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers have been advised to remain alert, monitor water levels and follow official warnings.

The government has deployed 13,295 security personnel and 15 helicopters for search, rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations. The deployment includes 7,250 Nepal Police personnel, 4,200 Nepali Army personnel and 1,845 Armed Police Force personnel.

Police have reported rescuing 1,545 people so far, although earlier NDRRMA figures had put the number of rescued persons at 1,976.

According to the NDRRMA, the disaster began on September 10, 2083 BS, after a snow-rock collapse covering around one square kilometre occurred near the Nepal-China border. The collapse generated a disturbance equivalent to a 5.2-magnitude seismic signal and sent a massive volume of water into the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems, causing widespread destruction.

Relief and restoration operations are continuing. Heavy equipment has been deployed to restore key road sections, while an obstruction at Devighat has been cleared.

The government has released Rs 1 crore each for Rasuwa and Nuwakot and Rs 50 lakh for Dhading for immediate relief measures.

Emergency supplies, including food, water, tents, blankets, solar lamps, generators and power banks, are being distributed in affected areas. Fuel supplies are also being maintained, with 18,000 litres each of diesel and petrol sent to affected areas.

Meanwhile, 60 injured people are undergoing treatment at hospitals in the Kathmandu Valley.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar