KATHMANDU / RankWire.AI / – In the aftermath of the devastating floods that struck Nepal on August 26, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has updated its figures, revealing that the number of missing persons has risen to 6,150. This new total, verified through recent data from affected districts, represents an increase of 971 over the previous count of 5,179. Since the disaster, authorities have recovered 1,403 bodies. The floods, along with debris flows, caused widespread destruction particularly in northern Nepal, close to the border with China.
Authorities are currently working on forensic identification of the recovered bodies, with 105 of them already identified. The latest government data indicates that 3,175 DNA samples have been gathered during the identification process, including 1,286 samples from the deceased and 1,889 from relatives of those missing. Since the disaster began, rescue operations have saved 13,742 individuals. Among those listed as missing are 587 foreign nationals, adding an international dimension to ongoing search and identification efforts.
Official records specify that 2,679 individuals are missing in Rasuwa, while 1,787 are unaccounted for in Nuwakot. Both districts are part of the broader region affected by the late-August event. Floodwaters and debris damaged villages, roads, and critical infrastructure throughout the mountainous areas. Search teams continue to comb river corridors, damaged settlements, and sites linked to major hydropower projects. Meanwhile, authorities are cross-referencing local records with family reports to update the national missing persons list.
Efforts to locate and identify victims persist
The disaster was initiated by a collapse of ice and rock on Mount Langtang Lirung, which triggered a powerful debris flow. This flow entered the Bhotekoshi river system, traveling through valleys and communities downstream. Rasuwa suffered significant losses due to its strategic position along the Nepal-China border and the flood corridor. Other districts affected included Nuwakot, Dhading, and several areas further downstream. The event also severely disrupted infrastructure and left thousands in need of rescue or emergency aid.
Official data shows that helicopters have conducted 1,923 rescue flights, supporting ongoing relief efforts. Authorities also operate 29 centers to shelter displaced or impacted individuals, with the latest figures indicating 2,096 people housed there. Nepal Police continue their support in search, rescue, and relief activities, along with conducting community outreach programs in affected zones. Rescue teams work under challenging mountain conditions, while forensic experts process DNA samples to confirm identities of recovered victims.
Verification leads to increased missing persons tally
The official missing persons count was revised from 5,179 to 6,150 following verification processes that involved collecting data from affected districts. This adjustment added 971 individuals to the national total. Authorities are meticulously differentiating between missing persons, confirmed deaths, and victims with positive identification. Forensic teams are matching DNA from recovered bodies with samples supplied by relatives, a crucial step since only 105 of the 1,403 bodies recovered have been officially identified so far.
The impact of the disaster extended into China, where officials reported 43 fatalities and 519 individuals missing. When combined with Nepal’s figures, the overall toll now reaches 1,446 confirmed deaths and at least 6,669 missing persons. In Nepal, the latest verified statistics show 6,150 missing and 1,403 bodies recovered. Relief and recovery operations remain ongoing in the affected zones, with officials continuously reviewing district reports and forensic records to maintain accurate counts of those killed, missing, and rescued.