Nepal Flash Flood Death Toll Crosses 1,450 as Search Continues for Missing

PTI, September 20, 2026, Kathmandu: The death toll from last month's devastating flash floods in Nepal crossed 1,450 on Sunday, as the Himalayan nation continues to reel from the aftereffects of the disaster. In a statement, Nepal Police said the death toll of the August 26 flash floods has reached 1,451, with more bodies recovered from affected areas.

The floods also killed 43 people on the Chinese side, where more than 500 remain missing, according to Chinese media. Two flood victims also died in Kathmandu hospitals while undergoing treatment. So far, 13,784 people affected by the flood have been rescued from across the country. The Nepal Police have estimated that around 6,000 people continue to remain missing after the flood.

The search for those missing in Nepal has continued across river stretches, debris fields, and damaged hydropower projects in Rasuwa and neighbouring districts. The country is also reeling from the aftermath of the floods, which left large parts of the affected region struggling with damaged roads and bridges.

Identifying the dead has also emerged as a major challenge, with only around 110 of the total bodies recovered being handed over to families after identification so far, authorities said. Bodies recovered after being swept downstream have often been severely damaged, decomposed, or recovered only in parts, making identification by face, clothing, or personal belongings difficult, officials said. So far, nearly 1,300 bodies have been temporarily buried after their DNA samples were collected, officials said.