Kathmandu: The death toll from the devastating flash floods in Nepal climbed to 538 on Friday as more bodies were recovered from affected districts, while search and rescue operations entered their third day amid warnings of another possible flood.
Nepalese authorities have urged rescue personnel and people living along vulnerable river corridors to exercise extreme caution following a rise in the water level of a lake formed by avalanches near the country’s border with Tibet.
According to Nepal Police, bodies have so far been recovered from eight districts across the Himalayan nation.
Chitwan Records 221 Deaths, Nawalparasi East 134
Of the 538 bodies recovered, 221 were found in Chitwan and 134 in Nawalparasi East, according to police.
Another 46 bodies were recovered from Gorkha, 37 from Nuwakot, 33 from Dhading, 28 from Tanahu, 27 from Nawalparasi West and 12 from Rasuwa.
Search operations are continuing across the affected areas, with authorities deploying 7,451 security personnel, including 2,391 Nepal Army personnel.
Teams are searching through areas devastated by the torrent of water, mud and debris that swept through parts of Nepal earlier this week.
Fresh Flood Warning Issued
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) on Friday warned that rising water levels at the site of the disaster have increased the possibility of another flood.
The warning comes after Wednesday’s massive flash flood struck Rasuwa and subsequently affected several areas of central Nepal.
Authorities have asked personnel involved in search and rescue operations, as well as people staying in the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli areas, to remain on high alert.
People have been advised to immediately move to safer locations if they notice signs of danger or receive evacuation instructions.
Rescue Operations Continue For Third Day
The fresh warning has complicated an already challenging rescue operation as authorities continue searching for people reported missing after the disaster.
The initial flood was linked to avalanche activity near the Nepal-Tibet border, which resulted in a sudden surge of water and debris through downstream areas.
With the threat of another surge still present, disaster management authorities are closely monitoring conditions upstream while rescue teams continue operations in affected districts.
