KATHMANDU, Sept 11: The bodies of 1,386 people have so far been recovered following the Bhotekoshi flood and landslides on August 26, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).
NDRRMA Spokesperson Shanti Mahat said the figure, released as of 5 pm on September 11, also includes recovered human remains.
The highest number of bodies, 364, have been recovered in Chitwan. Thirty-eight bodies have been recovered in Tanahun, while two people died while undergoing treatment in Kathmandu, according to the authority.
A total of 5,130 people remain missing following the floods and landslides.
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DNA testing is underway to identify the deceased. DNA samples have so far been collected from 1,286 recovered bodies, while 1,751 samples have been collected from relatives of missing people, NDRRMA said.
The NDRRMA has arranged for relatives to provide DNA samples through district police offices in the affected districts. Those providing samples are required to submit two photographs and documents verifying their relationship with the missing person.
NDRRMA said the transportation of food and non-food relief supplies to affected districts by road and air remains ongoing. However, the volume of relief materials being dispatched from Kathmandu has decreased recently.
The NDRRMA said some supplies were temporarily held back after receiving information that affected districts had sufficient stocks for immediate needs. Additional supplies will be dispatched if further requirements arise.
To improve transparency in relief distribution, NDRRMA has introduced a tracking system through the ‘Setu’ app. The system allows authorities to track how much relief material was sent and distributed, and on which dates, from the central level down to districts, local governments and wards.
NDRRMA also said the government has begun taking action against the spread of misinformation during the disaster, including the use of old and AI-generated videos on social media.
According to the NDRRMA, 173 social media posts identified as misleading have been reported, of which 83 have already been removed.
