Kathmandu [Nepal], August 30 (ANI): The death toll from the Bhote Koshi flood disaster in Nepal has risen to 734, while 2419 people remain missing or out of contact, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).

According to the latest update issued by NDRRMA as of 9 am, Chitwan reported the highest number of recovered bodies at 259, including human body parts, followed by Nawalparasi East with 184, Nawalparasi West with 82, Gorkha with 58, Nuwakot with 52, Dhading with 50, Tanahun with 36 and Rasuwa with 13.

https://x.com/NDRRMA_Nepal/status/2093909876577873947

Of the 2,419 people reported missing or out of contact, 589 are foreign nationals, while 127 are Nepalis accompanying foreign tourists. The missing include 933 people from hydropower projects, 562 in Rasuwa and 115 in Nuwakot, according to the NDRRMA.

The disaster has also left 242 people injured, including those currently under treatment and those who have been discharged. Surgical medical teams have been mobilised in the affected areas.

A total of 19,895 security personnel have been deployed for search, rescue and relief operations. The deployment includes 8,399 Nepal Army personnel, 7,293 Nepal Police personnel and 4,203 personnel from the Armed Police Force Nepal.

The authorities said 8,186 people have so far been rescued, including 2,974 by the Nepal Army, 2,699 by Nepal Police and 2,513 by the Armed Police Force Nepal.

A total of 279 people, including 227 foreign nationals, have been rescued by helicopter from a hydropower tunnel.

Unidentified bodies recovered during the operations have been kept across 21 hospitals in various districts, the NDRRMA said.

The Government of Nepal has provided NPR 10 million each to Rasuwa and Nuwakot, NPR 5 million to Dhading and NPR 67.5 million to 15 local municipalities as cash assistance.

Meanwhile, 37 trucks carrying food and non-food relief materials have been dispatched to affected areas, while seven helicopter flights have been conducted to transport relief supplies. Communication sets and radios have also been sent to affected regions.

Two tonnes of food supplies along with rescue materials were transported by helicopter to Uttargaya and Dhunche.

The NDRRMA also said that Bhairabi, Suryamati and Panchakanya oil stores in Nuwakot currently have 36,000 litres of diesel and 24,000 litres of petrol in stock. Aviation fuel stocks stand at 14,000 litres, against consumption of 25,000 litres.

The status update comes as Nepal Home Minister Sudan Gurung visited the flood-affected area in Nuwakot and gave instructions to rescue teams as rescue and relief operations continue in the flood-hit region on Sunday.

Meanwhile, flow in the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa has reportedly increased further, urging personnel involved in search, rescue and relief operations to exercise utmost caution.

In a post on X, NDRRMA said, 'Alert: The flow of the flood in the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa has reportedly increased further

The authority urged all personnel engaged in search, rescue and relief operations in affected areas, including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Chitwan, as well as surrounding regions, to remain vigilant.

NDRRMA further said, 'Therefore, all personnel engaged in search, rescue, and relief operations in affected areas including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan, and surrounding regions, as well as those in riparian zones and other relevant parties, are requested to exercise utmost caution.'

The disaster management authority said it would continue to monitor the situation and provide further information.

'We will provide updates as soon as further information is received,' NDRRMA said.

Meanwhile, India sent its fourth flight to Kathmandu carrying essential supplies and specialised technical capabilities to support Nepal's ongoing rescue and relief operations.

In a post on X, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, 'The fourth Indian flight has touched down in Kathmandu. It brings essential supplies and technical capabilities to support Nepal's ongoing rescue & relief operations.'

Indian Embassy in Nepal, through its official handle on X, 'India in Nepal', said the fourth flight was carrying 11 tons of relief materials, which had been handed over to Nepal.

'With Nepal. The fourth flight, carrying 11 tons of relief materials, has arrived in Nepal, and those relief materials have been handed over. This includes a tunnel technical team equipped for search and rescue operations, a team of forensic experts for DNA analysis, and relief materials such as blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, plastic sheets, and hygiene kits.'

Reinforcing the state's commitment to relief and reconstruction, Prime Minister Balen Shah on Saturday declared that the Government of Nepal remains on high alert and will operate at full capacity until every flood-affected citizen is safe and rehabilitated following the catastrophic August 26 Bhote Koshi River floods.

International experts from India and China are actively assisting on the ground. (ANI)