Nepal Ends Flood Search With 5,285 Still Missing
Nepal has formally ended its 40-day search and rescue operation following the devastating August 26 flash floods, shifting its focus towards rehabilitation and reconstruction even as 5,285 people remain missing.
Nepal Ends 40-Day Flood Search Operation
The decision was taken by the National Council of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Balendra Shah.
Authorities said the large-scale search operation would now be wound down, except for essential activities, following recommendations from district-level security and disaster management bodies as well as field assessments.
The floods have been confirmed to have killed 1,455 people, while 13,795 were rescued.
5,285 People Still Missing After Nepal Floods
Despite the end of the intensive search phase, 5,285 people remain unaccounted for.
The disaster struck after flash floods originating near the Nepal-Tibet border swept through the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems, destroying settlements, roads, bridges, vehicles and hydropower infrastructure across northern and central Nepal.
Authorities have also arranged temporary accommodation for 1,226 affected people at holding centres.
Nepal Shifts Focus to Reconstruction
The government has directed agencies to accelerate rehabilitation and rebuilding in flood-hit districts.
A reconstruction package worth NPR 559.17 billion has been proposed for 504 projects and programmes submitted by ministries and agencies.
Funding will cover damaged infrastructure and wider rehabilitation requirements, with additional allocations expected once remaining project costs are assessed.
Federal, provincial and local governments are expected to coordinate the reconstruction effort as Nepal moves from emergency response to long-term recovery.
