Hydropower Sites Among Hardest Hit; Hundreds Unaccounted in Nepal Disaster

KATHMANDU, Sept 1 — The recent monsoon floods have exposed the vulnerability of Nepal’s hydro‑electric infrastructure. Of the 3,916 people still missing, 639 are workers employed at projects along the Bhote‑Koshi and Trishuli rivers.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority confirmed 1,003 deaths, with 321 bodies recovered in Chitwan district and 216 in Nawalparasi. Among the missing are 583 foreign nationals and numerous members of the Nepalese Army, armed police, police force and other government staff.

Rescue teams, aided by foreign experts, have focused on several key projects: Chilime, Langtang, Upper Trishuli‑1, Upper Trishuli‑3A, Upper Trishuli‑3B, Malung, Nuwakot Solar Power, Trishuli Hydropower and Devghat Hydropower. From these sites, 279 individuals have been rescued alive – 2 from Rasuwagadhi, 33 from Upper Trishuli‑1, 221 from Upper Trishuli‑3A, 2 from Upper Trishuli‑3B, 9 from Malung, 4 from Nuwakot Solar, 3 from Trishuli Hydropower and 5 from Devghat.

The disaster response includes 21,314 security personnel – 9,199 army troops, 7,912 police officers and 4,203 armed police – as well as 21 designated mortuary locations for unidentified bodies. So far, 11,884 survivors have been rescued, while 279 injured persons receive medical care.