The death toll from the devastating Nepal-Tibet flash floods has surged to 1,355, according to National Disaster Risk Reduction and Managment Authority.

 

The highest number of fatalities have been reported in Chitwan at 363, followed by Nawalparasi East with 222, Nawalparasi West with 221, and Rasuwa with 169.  Security agencies have continued search and rescue operations for people who remain out of contact, particularly at hydropower projects along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river corridors.

 

According to the Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN), a representative body of private-sector power developers in Nepal, as many as 919 people employed at 11 hydropower projects remained out of contact as of last evening.

 

There have been a few successful rescues of people alive from some hydropower projects, including two Nepali nationals from the 60-MW Upper Trishuli 3A project on September 4 and a Chinese national from the 216-MW Upper Trishuli-1 project on September 5.

 

A national day of mourning is being observed today in Nepal in honour of those who lost their lives in the devastating flood that struck the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa district on August 26.