Zillar Barta Desk,Kathmandu: The death toll from the devastating floods that struck Nepal’s Bhotekoshi River region has risen to 1,290, according to the latest update from Nepal Police.

The disaster, which followed a massive glacial collapse and flash flooding on August 26, has caused widespread destruction across several districts, with homes, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure severely damaged.

Nepal Police said 4,798 people remain missing, while 8,127 people have been rescued from the affected areas. Search and rescue operations are continuing as teams recover bodies and human remains from flood-hit locations. 

Authorities are also facing major challenges in identifying the victims. Police have collected DNA samples and uploaded details of unidentified bodies to assist families in confirming the identities of those killed. 

The catastrophe has triggered a large-scale national and international rescue effort, with Nepalese security forces working alongside foreign rescue and technical teams. Operations remain focused on areas where people are believed to be trapped, including tunnels at damaged hydropower projects.

The latest figures underline the enormous scale of the disaster, with thousands still unaccounted for and rescue teams continuing their search amid difficult terrain and extensive debris. (reuters.com)