Kathmandu, Aug 30: The death toll from the devastating Bhotekoshi flood in Rasuwa has climbed to 734, while 2,498 people are still unaccounted for, according to the latest government figures.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority released the figures at 9 am Sunday. Of the 626 recovered bodies for which locations have been recorded, 233 were found in Chitwan, 158 in Nawalparasi East, 51 in Nuwakot, 48 in Gorkha, 47 in Nawalparasi West, 45 in Dhading, 31 in Tanahun and 13 in Rasuwa.
Rescue operations remain underway across the flood-affected areas, with 15,224 personnel from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force deployed.
Authorities said 4,451 people have been rescued so far. Of them, 191 were brought out through hydropower tunnels, and 517 were evacuated by air. A total of 99 helicopter sorties have been carried out using 16 Nepal Army and private helicopters. The rescue effort has also brought 129 foreign nationals to safety.
The list of those still missing includes 27 Nepal Police personnel, 45 Nepal Army personnel and 13 Armed Police Force personnel. Fifteen customs officials and four immigration officials are also unaccounted for.
Among civilians, 562 people from Rasuwa and 115 from Nuwakot remain missing. Another 933 employees and workers linked to hydropower projects are unaccounted for, along with 65 people from Makwanpur and three from Langtang National Park.
The missing also include 517 foreign nationals and 127 Nepali citizens living abroad who were visiting Nepal when the disaster struck.
Meanwhile, relief operations are continuing in the worst affected areas. Authorities have so far delivered food and other essential supplies through 37 trucks and seven helicopter flights. Communication equipment has also been distributed to help restore connectivity.
Of the 198 telephone towers damaged by the floods, 145 have been brought back into operation following repair work.
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