The devastating flash floods in the Himalayan region swept so many people downstream that authorities in one Nepalese district have begun burying bodies in temporary graves before they can be identified, prompting accusations that Hindu funeral traditions are being ignored.

In south-central Nepal’s Chitwan district, the scale of the catastrophe was evident in some 250 bodies awaiting identification and the hastily dug trenches for their temporary burial following Wednesday’s catastrophic floods and mudslides.

The bodies were carried hundreds of kilometers downstream by the Bhotekoshi River from the flood’s epicentre before being recovered in Chitwan.

Authorities carried out a temporary burial of about 100 victims on Saturday, officials said, as forensic teams struggled to cope. A convoy of vehicles carrying bodies entered a lush, forested area as an excavator dug a wide trench in the red earth while officials and media looked on.

-AP

A drone view shows mud covering properties following a flash flood in Trishuli, Nuwakot district, Nepal, on August 27, 2026.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Rescue workers searched for hundreds of people still missing on Thursday (August 27) after a wall of mud and rock collapsed into a river on the Himalayan border of Nepal and China’s Tibet a day earlier, triggering catastrophic flooding that swept through mountain towns ‌and valleys, killing scores of people.

Officials at Nepal’s Tourism Ministry told media outlets that around 340 foreigners were among more than 400 tourists missing after the disaster, which hit a mountainous region popular with trekkers and pilgrims. Some 157 bodies had been recovered so far, Nepal police said ⁠late on Wednesday.

Verified videos showed crushing masses of water and debris sweeping away dozens of people at the border, with authorities in both China and Nepal fearing far higher casualties and massive destruction.

Houses, roads and power projects were washed away in Nepal, while officials in Tibet said they feared “major casualties” after a mudslide hit a border land crossing in the county of Gyirong.- Reuters

The MEA asked Indians in Nepal to follow the local safety advisories from the Nepal authorities as well as the Embassy of India in Kathmandu. File
| Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStock Photo

Airline sources though said that all airport staff including security and airline personnel had been asked to leave the airport premises and return home immediately leading to a complete chaos on the airport premises. Photo: Special Arrangement

Kathmandu:

India on Monday issued helpline numbers for its citizens stranded in Nepal due to floods and landslides during the past few days.

The advisory follows severe flooding and landslides triggered by record rainfall over the weekend, which caused widespread damage across Nepal.

In a post on social media platform X, the Indian Embassy in Nepal expressed concern at the current situation, stating, “There has been widespread damage due to floods and landslides on account of record rainfall over the weekend. Our thoughts are with everyone affected.”

3/3 Indian citizens in Nepal who require assistance may contact the following emergency numbers (with WhatsApp):

+977-9851316807 – [Emergency Helpline]

+977-9851107021- [Attache (Consular)]

+977-9749833292 – [ASO (Consular)]

— IndiaInNepal (@IndiaInNepal) September 30, 2024

The Embassy acknowledged that it has received reports of Indian citizens being stranded due to the natural disaster and is coordinating with Nepali authorities to ensure the safe evacuation and return of these individuals.

“The Embassy is in touch with some of these groups and arranging for their safe return,” the advisory stated.

To assist stranded citizens, the Embassy issued three helpline numbers for those in need of help.

Meanwhile, the death count from the devastating floods and landslides in Nepal neared 200 by Monday afternoon, with 30 people reported missing and 194 others injured, according to Nepal’s Home Ministry.

Rescue operations have saved over 4,500 people, with security forces continuing efforts to clear blocked highways and reach affected areas.

Government data also revealed that 1,327 houses were destroyed, and 19 major highways across Nepal suffered damage, further complicating rescue and recovery efforts.

Security forces remain mobilised to clear blocked roads and assist in ongoing rescue missions.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)