Kathmandu, September 07 (H.S.): The death toll from the devastating floods in Nepal has risen to 1,355, while nearly 5,000 people are still missing or remain unaccounted for as search, rescue and relief operations continue across the affected areas.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the recovered remains include various human body parts. So far, 98 bodies have been identified and handed over to their families. Authority spokesperson Shanti Mahat said 169 bodies have been recovered from Rasuwa, 197 from Nuwakot, 70 from Dhading, 75 from Gorkha, 38 from Tanahun, 363 from Chitwan, 222 from Nawalparasi East and 221 from Nawalparasi West.

She said reports indicated that around 4,996 people were missing or could not yet be traced following the floods. According to the latest records, details concerning around 1,967 missing people in one affected area and approximately 2,340 people in Nuwakot have been updated. The authority said the missing include around 100 security personnel and government employees, as well as approximately 589 foreign nationals. Meanwhile, 13,396 people who were stranded due to the floods have so far been safely rescued.

According to the Nepal Electricity Authority, 6,672 people injured in the floods have received medical treatment. Of them, 323 remain admitted to various hospitals, while 228 have been discharged and sent home. At present, 3,533 flood-affected people are staying in 39 holding centres. Of these, 669 are in Rasuwa, 2,651 in Nuwakot and 213 in Dhading.

A total of 21,402 security personnel have been deployed in the flood-affected areas for search and rescue operations, relief distribution and maintenance of security. The deployment includes 9,287 personnel from the Nepal Army, 7,912 from the Nepal Police and 4,203 from the Armed Police Force.

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

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar