KATHMANDU — The official death toll from the catastrophic Bhote Koshi floods has risen to 1,252 following the recovery of more bodies across affected districts. Delivering the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ daily press briefing on Thursday afternoon, government officials confirmed that nearly 4,200 people remain missing, while 11,993 individuals have been successfully rescued so far.
Search and rescue operations are scaling up along the river corridor, with specialized focus on flooded hydroelectric tunnels, international search coordination, and mass identification efforts.
Key Crisis Statistics
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Recovered Dead: 1,252 bodies
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Total Missing: ~4,200 individuals
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Rescued Individuals: 11,993 (including over 300 foreign nationals)
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Missing Foreign Nationals: Approximately 590 people from 34 countries (including 4 from Malta, 2 from Türkiye, 1 from Serbia, 1 from Bulgaria, and 1 from Oman)
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Nepali Army Deployment: 9,300+ personnel actively engaged across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan, and Nawalparasi East
International Tunnel Rescue Operations
Multi-national specialist teams from India, China, and the Republic of Korea are working in direct coordination with the Nepali Army to clear and breach subterranean hydroelectric structures where survivors or victims remain trapped:
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Chilime & Langtang: The Indian Tunnel Rescue Team is conducting heavy clearance operations alongside Nepali forces. Rescuers at the Langtang site used specialized drilling machinery to create a new access hole on the upstream side of the tunnel.
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Upper Trishuli 3A: A combined 93-member force, reinforced by the Chinese Tunnel Rescue Team, continues clearing operations with heavy equipment.
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Upper Trishuli 3B: A team comprising 67 Nepali Army personnel, three hydropower technical experts, and a Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR) unit are clearing debris using heavy excavators.
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Upper Trishuli 1: The Korean Tunnel Rescue Team is actively deployed with Nepali teams to breach and clear the structure.
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Haku & Rasuwagadhi: Nepali Army personnel have re-entered the Upper Trishuli tunnel in Haku, while aerial reconnaissance flights assess excavator deployment feasibility for Rasuwagadhi.
Forensic Identification & Foreign Emergency Response
To manage victim identification, international Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) and forensic teams are collaborating with local authorities:
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Forensic Support: A 19-member Indian Forensic Team, a 5-member Chinese forensic unit, 2 Korean forensic officials, and a 19-member DVI unit from Singapore are conducting DNA sampling and analysis.The remaining members of the Singaporean unit are arriving with specialized drones and equipment.
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Temporary Burials & DNA Sampling: Authorities have initiated temporary burials following strict forensic procedures to facilitate long-term identification. Immediate family members of missing persons are urged to submit DNA samples at the Nepal Police Hospital in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, or their nearest District Police Office.
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Emergency Hotline: The Ministry’s Emergency Control Room (ECR) handles around 200 global enquiries daily. The hotline operates daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM NST.
Cross-Border Repatriation & Additional Demands
China has facilitated the safe transit of stranded individuals across the border. Today, 114 Nepali nationals returned from Kerung through the Tatopani border crossing. Officials clarified that these individuals are primarily Rasuwa trade pass-holders returning home rather than rescued flood victims. Approximately 1,400 Nepalis remain in Kerung, with repatriation coordination ongoing. Around 100 Nepalis remain unaccounted for on the Chinese side of the border.
Given the extent of infrastructure destruction, the Ministry has issued an urgent international appeal for high-capacity drones, LiDAR sensors, ground-penetrating radar, Bailey bridges, mobile air traffic control systems, broadband seismometers, surge pumps, and epidemic prevention supplies.
Addressing the diplomatic corps earlier today, the Foreign Minister highlighted the disaster as a stark reminder of Himalayan climate vulnerability, confirming that Nepal has formally written to the Co-Chairs of the Board of the Loss and Damage Fund seeking immediate emergency funding.
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