Kathmandu, Aug 2026 : Nepal’s devastating floods have claimed more than 900 lives, with the death toll rising to 903 as authorities continue recovering bodies from swollen rivers and affected areas across the country, officials said on Monday.
According to the latest update from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), southern Chitwan district has reported the highest number of recovered bodies, with 272 victims. Local authorities have faced significant challenges in preserving and identifying the remains as the scale of the disaster continues to overwhelm affected areas.
With many bodies remaining unidentified, authorities in Chitwan have buried most of the recovered remains at Devghat, located at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Trishuli rivers. Officials said the decision was taken to prevent the bodies from becoming a public health hazard.
Before the burials, authorities collected DNA samples from the victims to assist with identification at a later stage. The District Administration Office in Chitwan said the samples would help families identify their missing relatives once further information becomes available.
The NDRRMA said unidentified bodies have also been taken to 21 hospitals across different districts. The authority has urged families searching for missing relatives to check official records and coordinate with authorities handling the identification process.
The disaster has also left thousands of people unaccounted for. According to the latest official figures, 4,247 people remain out of contact, including 592 foreign nationals.
The situation remains particularly critical along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river corridors, where 933 people working at various hydropower projects are still unaccounted for. Rescue teams are continuing efforts to reach workers believed to be trapped inside tunnels at several hydropower facilities, with technical assistance from teams from India and China.
Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force personnel, along with other government employees deployed in the affected areas, are also among those who remain out of contact following the disaster, particularly in regions close to the Nepal-China border.
The floods have so far left 267 people injured, while 156 injured victims have been discharged from hospitals after receiving treatment.
Despite the difficult conditions, rescue operations have continued on a large scale. The NDRRMA said 10,451 people have been rescued so far, including 252 foreign nationals. Of the total, 3,344 Nepali citizens were rescued through aerial operations conducted by the Nepal Army.
The government has mobilised a massive security operation to support search, rescue and relief efforts. A total of 20,819 security personnel are currently involved in operations, including 8,722 Nepal Army personnel, 7,894 Nepal Police personnel and 4,203 Armed Police Force personnel.
Authorities continue to prioritise the recovery and identification of victims, rescue of stranded people and delivery of essential relief supplies to communities affected by the floods.
With thousands still missing and rescue teams working in difficult terrain, officials have warned that the casualty figures could change further as search operations continue across the worst-hit districts.
