More than 1,000 people have been confirmed dead and nearly 4,000 are believed missing in Nepal following flash floods and mudslides that destroyed towns and swept away structures last week, according to authorities.
As of Tuesday afternoon, at least 1,003 bodies had been recovered, the Nepal National Disaster Management Authority reported. The flooding inundated areas along the Trishuli River, burying buildings and damaging bridges and roadways. The wall of ice, water, and debris that descended from the mountains on the border between Nepal and Tibet caused destruction for at least 62 miles downriver into Nepal, an analysis of verified video and satellite images shows.
The northern district of Rasuwa, situated along the border with Tibet, was severely affected. Nepal's tourism board indicated that at least 747 people, including 583 tourists, are missing in this region. Among the missing tourists in Rasuwa, 64 are from the United States.
Emergency responders, including more than 9,200 Army troops, are engaged in search and rescue operations. They are working in affected districts such as Rasuwa, Dhading, Chitwan, and Nawalparasi East, assisting with the search for survivors, managing recovered bodies, clearing blocked roads, and providing emergency treatment. Rescuers were seen searching tunnels at the Rusawa's Langtang Hydropower Project and other hydro-related tunnels, where 279 people were previously rescued alive.
Officials have resorted to burying the dead in mass graves due to the advanced decomposition of bodies. In Chitwan, one temporary burial site had received 199 bodies by Monday, with plans for approximately 80 more. Police, the army, and citizens are collaborating on these efforts.
The United Nations reported that approximately 65,000 people require emergency water, sanitation, or hygiene support. The organization also highlighted that more than 22,000 children need protection, with an estimated 2,600 children under five expected to need treatment for severe wasting. Additionally, around 10,500 pregnant and breastfeeding women require nutrition assistance. Preliminary reports suggest that about 107 children may have been separated from their families, making family tracing and reunification an urgent priority.