WATCH DAY 22: Durban mother searches Nepal debris for missing daughter

The death toll from flash floods in Nepal crossed 1,400 on Wednesday, with over 6,000 people still unaccounted for, officials reported. According to the Nepal Police, the fatality count rose to 1,404, while 13,700 individuals have been rescued thus far. The devastating floods, caused by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, swept through towns and villages in northern and central Nepal.

The Bhotekoshi River carried the floodwaters downstream, demolishing homes, vehicles, roads, bridges, and hydropower projects. In Nepal, 364 bodies were recovered in Chitwan district, the highest among all districts, followed by 232 in Nawalparasi East and 222 in Nawalparasi West. The majority of the missing, around 6,150, are from Nuwakot, Rasuwa, Gorkha, Dhading, and Tanahun districts.

Identifying the deceased has proven extremely challenging, with only 104 bodies identified so far. The damaged and decomposed remains make it difficult to confirm identities through facial features, clothing, or personal belongings. Forensic experts emphasize the importance of DNA testing, which is time-consuming and requires biological samples from both the victims and their relatives.

Search teams have been working tirelessly in the affected areas, including hydropower projects in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts, where unaccounted workers are being rescued by the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, project personnel, and foreign technicians. However, despite the ongoing efforts, no survivors have been found at the Chilime hydropower project's tunnel where five bodies were recovered on Wednesday.