The death toll from the devastating flash floods and landslides in Nepal has risen to 1,344, according to the latest update from Nepal Police, as rescue and recovery teams continue searching for people still missing following the disaster that struck the Nepal-Tibet border region on August 26.

Authorities have continued recovering bodies from areas hit by floodwaters, landslides and massive debris flows. The scale of destruction has left thousands of people unaccounted for and caused extensive damage to settlements, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure across affected parts of Nepal. 

Death Toll Continues to Rise

The latest figure of 1,344 marks another sharp increase in the reported number of fatalities as search teams gain access to areas that were previously difficult to reach.

According to the latest reports, 843 bodies have been recovered, including 85 children. The difference between recovered bodies and the overall death toll reflects the wider official accounting of fatalities as identification and recovery operations continue. 

The disaster has overwhelmed local authorities in several locations, with rescuers facing damaged roads, blocked mountain routes, thick mud and unstable terrain.

Thousands Still Missing

The rising death toll has come alongside a continuing search for thousands of missing people.

The August 26 flash floods struck the Himalayan region along the Nepal-Tibet border, affecting areas around the Trishuli and Bhotekoshi river systems. Hydropower projects and worker settlements were among the sites badly affected.

Recent reports have put the number of missing people at more than 5,000, although figures continue to change as authorities reconcile reports and locate survivors. 

Rescue teams are continuing to search tunnels, damaged settlements and areas buried beneath mud and rocks.

Breakthrough at Trishuli Hydropower Site

The rescue effort received a major boost on Friday when two workers were found alive after spending nine days trapped inside a tunnel at the Trishuli 3A hydropower project.

Sanjay Sah and Kabir Maharjan were rescued from the underground facility after rescuers reached them through debris and mud. Their survival has provided renewed hope for families waiting for information about relatives still missing at other hydropower sites.

However, rescuers continue to face difficult conditions at other locations, with some tunnels still blocked or flooded.

India Steps Up Rescue Assistance

India has also expanded its assistance to Nepal following the disaster.

According to India's Ministry of External Affairs, 275 Indian nationals remain missing, while 166 Indian citizens have been rescued. India has also sent around 95 tonnes of relief material and deployed 54 specialists, including tunnel-rescue personnel, forensic experts and members of a medical team. 

The Indian teams are working in coordination with Nepali authorities in several affected locations, particularly where specialised tunnel-rescue capabilities are required.

Major Damage to Hydropower Infrastructure

The floods have caused extensive damage to Nepal's hydropower sector, with several projects reporting destroyed access roads and damaged infrastructure.

The economic impact is also expected to be significant. Reuters reported that commercial insurance losses from the disaster could exceed 20 billion Nepali rupees ($132.3 million), with hydropower projects accounting for a substantial share of the potential losses. The broader economic damage has been estimated at around $2.56 billion. 

The full financial cost is likely to become clearer only after authorities can access all affected sites.

Relief and Recovery Challenge

With floodwaters receding in many areas, Nepal is entering a difficult recovery phase while rescue operations continue simultaneously.

Authorities face the immediate challenge of locating missing people and recovering bodies, while also restoring roads, electricity, water supplies and communications in affected communities.

The possibility of further health problems is another concern. Reports have raised concerns over contamination of drinking water in some flood-hit areas, increasing the risk of a secondary public-health crisis. 

For families still waiting for news, however, the priority remains the search operation. The successful rescue of two hydropower workers after nine days has demonstrated that survivors can still be found in heavily damaged underground structures.

As Nepal Police and other rescue agencies continue their operations, the rising death toll underscores the unprecedented scale of the disaster and the enormous task ahead in both humanitarian response and reconstruction.