Kathmandu, Sep 5: Death toll from devastating flash floods in Nepal surged to 1,344 on Saturday as more bodies were recovered, Nepal Police said.
Rescue teams continue searching for around 5,000 missing, including 589 foreign nationals, while over 13,100 have been rescued.
Among dramatic survivors Saturday was 60-year-old Chandika Shrestha, pulled out alive from the top floor of a four-storey house where she was trapped for 10 days under mud and debris in Bidur, Nuwakot. Her family had performed symbolic last rites assuming her death.
She was found unconscious by the Armed Police Force and flown to Army barracks in Trishuli.
In another miracle rescue, Chinese national Luhaitao was pulled out alive at 1:30 pm from 225 metres inside Audit Tunnel 4 of Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project by a joint Nepali Army and foreign rescuers team. His health is being assessed.
On Friday, two Nepalese workers – Kabir Maharjan, 45, and Sanjay Sah, 30 – were rescued from Trishuli 3A hydropower tunnel.
Floods were triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near Nepal-Tibet border on August 26. Bhotekoshi River carried floodwaters downstream, sweeping homes, roads, bridges and hydropower projects. At least 21 killed and 500 missing on the Chinese side in Tibet.
Of bodies recovered in Nepal, 85 were children, 501 found with body parts missing due to prolonged exposure to water and debris. Highest recovery — 360 bodies — in Chitwan. Only 98 handed over to families so far.
Identification remains a major challenge, with DNA testing crucial but time-consuming. As many as 1,030 bodies were temporarily buried after DNA collection.
Hospitals struggled with unidentified bodies as crowds gathered with photos of missing kin.
Authorities continue to monitor rivers including Koshi, Narayani, Bagmati and Karnali. Teams from India and China assisting Nepal in tunnel rescues. (Agencies)
