Nepal Floods: 1,410 Bodies Recovered, PM Shah Prioritises Early Warning Systems

Nepal will give disaster early warning systems its highest priority, Prime Minister Balendra Shah said on Saturday, as the country grapples with the aftermath of devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river basins.

According to figures from Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, 1,410 bodies have been recovered and 6,055 people remain out of contact. Rescue teams have brought 13,756 people to safety.

Delivering his first Constitution Day address since taking office in March, Shah called for a stronger focus on reducing risks and preparing communities before disasters strike.

“The damage caused by the recent Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi floods has been unimaginable and irreparable for us,” he said, thanking rescue personnel, citizens, businesses and international partners for their support.

Warning Before Disaster

Shah said Nepal’s exposure to natural hazards demanded a proactive approach to disaster management.

“Special emphasis will be placed on risk reduction, preparedness, and response. Disaster early warning systems will be implemented with the highest priority,” he said.

The announcement comes as search and recovery operations continue following the August 26 flash flood, which struck riverside settlements in Rasuwa district and rapidly affected neighbouring areas, including Nuwakot and Dhading.

Of the 344 injured people admitted to hospitals, 290 have been discharged, according to the disaster authority.

The Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force mounted a large-scale response, with the deployment of security personnel exceeding 20,000 at one stage.

Helicopters evacuated critically injured people, pregnant women, children, elderly residents and people with disabilities. In Nuwakot, 611 people are being accommodated in temporary shelters at 13 locations.

Roads, Bridges and Power Projects Hit

The floods have also dealt a severe blow to transport links and energy infrastructure.

Eight operating hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 281 MW were damaged, along with four projects under construction representing another 388 MW.

Major stretches of the Galchhi–Betrawati–Rasuwagadhi road and the Prithvi Highway were destroyed or severely damaged. The disaster also damaged 48 suspension bridges and 31 motorable bridges.

Telecommunications services have been restored across 95 per cent of affected areas. Electricity restoration is progressing at different rates across the affected districts.

Authorities are carrying out immediate relief work alongside road restoration and bridge reconstruction.

Recovery and Identification Continue

The government has declared 15 local administrative areas disaster crisis-hit zones for three months and released money from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.

The fund has collected more than NPR 7 billion, in addition to foreign contributions.

Shah acknowledged assistance and messages of support from India, China, the United States, Japan and international institutions, including the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, European Union and United Nations.

Search operations continue for those still missing. Authorities are preserving DNA samples from unidentified bodies to support identification and help families establish the fate of their relatives.

The Constitution Day address placed disaster preparedness at the centre of the government’s response, as Nepal faces the immediate demands of rescue and relief alongside a prolonged reconstruction effort.

With inputs from ANI