Kathmandu, September 10: The number of bodies recovered following the devastating Bhote Koshi River floods has reached 1,377, while 5,130 people remain missing, according to the latest situation update from Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Search and rescue operations continued for the sixteenth day in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and other flood-affected areas, with 13,656 people rescued so far, including more than 300 foreign nationals. Around 600 foreigners from 35 countries remain among those reported missing.

Nepali security agencies and disaster-management authorities continue search and rescue operations with support from international teams from India, China, the Republic of Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Australia. Operations are also continuing at affected hydropower projects, including Mailung Khola, Upper Trishuli 1, Upper Trishuli 3A, Upper Trishuli 3B, Chilime, Rasuwagadhi and Langtang. The government has sought additional international assistance, including high-capacity drones, LiDAR systems, Bailey bridges, DNA testing kits, underwater drones, generators and specialised tunnel-rescue equipment.

Efforts to restore critical infrastructure are also progressing. The Acrow Bridge installed over the Tadi River at Devighat along the Galchhi–Trishuli road section has been completed and opened to the public, while road and site clearance operations continue in several areas. Meanwhile, forensic teams from India, China, Japan, Singapore and the Republic of Korea are assisting Nepal Police with DNA collection, analysis and identification of recovered bodies.

The government is finalising its Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment and simultaneously undertaking a comprehensive Post Disaster Needs Assessment to determine losses, damage and reconstruction costs. International assistance continues to arrive from numerous countries and organisations. Meanwhile, 768 Nepali nationals affected on the China side have returned to Nepal through the Tatopani border point as of September 10.