Thousands remain missing and displaced nearly a month after severe flooding in Nepal unleashed widespread devastation, overwhelming rescue efforts and complicating recovery plans. The floods, which struck on August 26, swept through multiple regions, destroying homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods, while leaving families grappling with profound loss.
Among those displaced is Narayan Prassan, who had rebuilt his home after it was destroyed in the 2015 earthquake. Despite having worked abroad in Saudi Arabia to finance the reconstruction, the recent floods obliterated his home once again. Prassan, along with his wife and children, is currently staying with relatives but faces an uncertain future and the possibility of seeking employment overseas again. “This flood has taken everything,” he said.
Nepal’s government continues to recover bodies and search for thousands more unaccounted for, including many people believed trapped in the tunnels of six hydropower projects affected by the disaster. Officials report that 1,453 bodies have been recovered, while 5,644 individuals remain missing. Identification challenges persist, with only 112 bodies formally handed over to families and the remainder temporarily buried awaiting DNA matching. Authorities have established a facility at the Nepal Police Hospital in Kathmandu where relatives can provide DNA samples to aid in identifying victims. Experts from India, China, the United States, Singapore, and South Korea are assisting with the process.
The flood’s timing exacerbated its human toll, hitting during morning hours when children were en route to school. In the town of Nuwakot, several children drowned, some found with school ties still affixed. Residents noted that older students managed to escape uphill, while younger children were unable to flee the rapidly rising waters. Pasang Maya Tamang, a 32-year-old mother who lost her young son, recounted that she still dreams of him calling for help. Although his body was recovered, she was unable to see him before his burial.
Grief and frustration are widespread. Hydropower worker Rabi Kumar Thapa Magar lost multiple family members, including his wife and mother, yet was unable to see his wife’s body before it was buried. Authorities cited the need for DNA confirmation and anticipated the process to take at least a month, prompting some families to conduct symbolic ceremonies in the meantime.
In his first speech to the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah framed the flooding as a stark signal of climate change risks threatening the Himalayan region. He stressed that the disaster’s impact extends beyond Nepal’s borders and called for enhanced international assistance and regional cooperation to address climate-related hazards. “Climate change does not recognize borders. Glaciers and floods do not travel with stamps and passports,” Shah said.
The scale of destruction and the number of missing persons indicate a prolonged and costly recovery ahead for Nepal, as officials and communities work to cope with one of the country’s most severe natural disasters in recent history.