Kathmandu— Over 4,200 individuals remain unaccounted for following a devastating flash flood on August 26 in the Bhotekoshi river in Nepal's Rasuwa district. The disaster has resulted in extensive human and material losses, prompting intensified search and rescue efforts by security agencies. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), the missing include military personnel, civilians from various districts, foreign nationals, and workers from hydropower projects.

Missing Individuals

The NDRRMA reported that 45 Nepali Army members, 25 Nepal Police officers, and 13 Armed Police Force personnel are among the missing. Additionally, 14 customs office workers, three immigration officials, and around 865 people from Rasuwa district have not been located. The list of unaccounted individuals also includes 1,558 people from Nuwakot, 583 foreign nationals, and 164 Nepalis who were with tourists. Around 900 hydropower project workers, three Langtang National Park staff members, seven public representatives, 32 local government employees, and one private school teacher are also missing.

Search and Rescue Efforts

The NDRRMA spokesperson Shanti Mahat stated that over 21,400 security personnel from the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force have been deployed for search, rescue, and relief operations. In total, 7,912 Nepal Police officers, 9,287 Nepali Army soldiers, and 4,203 Armed Police Force members are involved in these efforts.

Casualties and Relief

The flood has resulted in the deaths of at least 1,252 people. The NDRRMA reported that 127 bodies have been recovered from Rasuwa, 177 from Nuwakot, 60 from Dhading, 69 from Gorkha, 218 from Nawalparasi East, 208 from Nawalparasi West, 38 from Tanahun, and 355 from Chitwan. So far, over 5,000 affected individuals have received treatment at various hospitals and through relief efforts by the Nepali Army and Armed Police Force.

The ongoing search and rescue operations continue as authorities work to locate the missing and provide aid to those affected.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.