Kathmandu: The death toll from devastating flash floods in central Nepal rose to 469 on Friday, August 28, as rescue teams continued search operations for the third consecutive day. Authorities said more bodies were recovered from several affected districts, increasing the scale of the disaster triggered by an avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border.

Nepal Police said the recovered bodies were from eight districts across the Himalayan nation. Chitwan recorded the highest number of deaths with 178 fatalities, followed by Nawalparasi East with 110. Other affected districts included Gorkha, where 44 bodies were recovered, Nuwakot with 37, Dhading with 33, Tanahu with 28, Nawalparasi West with 27 and Rasuwa with 12.

Officials said 1,545 injured and stranded people have so far been rescued from various disaster-hit regions. Of them, 84 people are undergoing treatment at different hospitals in Kathmandu.

The ongoing rescue and relief operations involve 7,451 security personnel, including 2,391 Nepal Army personnel, who have been deployed across affected areas.

The disaster occurred after an ice-rock avalanche triggered by a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border sent a massive surge of water, mud and debris through central Nepal on Wednesday. The floodwaters caused widespread destruction, washing away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges, besides damaging several hydropower projects.

Authorities have continued efforts to locate missing people and provide assistance to affected communities. Rescue teams are facing challenges due to damaged infrastructure and difficult terrain in several areas hit by the flash floods. The government has intensified relief operations as the search for survivors and victims continues.