Nepal flood death toll rises to 1,259 with over 5,000 missing amid official, UN appeals

KATHMANDU, Sept. 03 (YPA) – The death toll from devastating floods in Nepal has risen to at least 1,259, with 5,083 people reported missing, the Disaster Management Authority announced Thursday.

The sharp increase comes as emergency crews continue to recover bodies from under debris and mud following heavy monsoon rains that destroyed villages and caused rivers to overflow.

Emergency responders and the military face severe challenges in reaching remote mountainous regions due to severed roads and collapsed bridges, amid warnings from humanitarian agencies regarding potential disease outbreaks and shortages of clean water and food.

Lok Bahadur Poudel Chhetri, spokesperson for Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that the country has mobilized all available resources. He declared an urgent need for international solidarity and support, requesting heavy cargo drones, temporary bridges, and DNA testing equipment for victim identification, describing the damage to infrastructure and the energy sector as “massive.”

Meanwhile, UN Resident Coordinator Lila Pieters Yahia warned that widespread destruction and hindered access are severely obstructing aid delivery. She noted that officials are considering heavy-lift cargo drones and porters to bypass destroyed roadways, while continuing to supply water, food, and medical supplies to affected areas.

YPA