Authorities say 5,285 people remain missing and 13,795 were rescued as the country shifts to recovery and legal procedures for families.
Nepal has ended its search-and-rescue operation after devastating floods killed at least 1,455 people. Another 5,285 are listed as missing, while 13,795 people were rescued, Reuters reported, citing official figures.
“We are moving from the search-and-rescue phase to the search-and-rehabilitation phase,” National Emergency Operation Centre chief Phanindra Paudel told Reuters. Authorities are beginning legal procedures to declare missing people dead, allowing relatives to settle insurance claims, banking matters and other formalities.
Dharam Raj Uprety, head of Nepal’s disaster risk reduction authority, said officials would no longer actively search for bodies. Remains and property found during reconstruction will still be recovered, and emergency rescue operations could resume if needed.
The flood struck northern Nepal on August 26 after water from the Chinese side surged into the Bhote Koshi River. An earthquake and a landslide it triggered preceded the disaster.
Reuters также сообщило, что наводнение разрушило 12 гидроэлектростанций, дороги, мосты, фермы и поселения. Власти оценивают потребность в раннем восстановлении и помощи тысячам перемещенных жителей почти в 5 миллиардов долларов.