KATHMANDU — The official death toll from the catastrophic Bhotekoshi flood disaster has reached 1,451, according to the latest official update released by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) under the Ministry of Home Affairs on September 21, 2026.
The official data reveals that Chitwan remains the worst-affected district in terms of confirmed casualties, recording 367 deaths, followed by Nuwakot with 236, Nawalparasi East with 232, Nawalparasi West with 222, and Rasuwa with 203. Casualties have also been recorded in Gorkha (79), Dhading (72), and Tanahun (38), while two individuals succumbed to their injuries during treatment in Kathmandu. Of the total deceased recorded in official tallies, 585 are male, 336 are female, and 530 consist of unidentified human body remains.
A total of 5,745 people remain missing following the disaster. This figure incorporates 636 foreign nationals, along with thousands of missing local residents and migrants across Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts. NDRRMA noted that 112 bodies handed over to families have been deducted from the overall missing count, though verification processes remain underway and figures are subject to further updates.
Authorities are heavily reliant on forensic matching for body identification. A total of 1,286 DNA samples from deceased victims and 1,997 samples from relatives have been collected to aid the identification process. To streamline testing, the government has instructed relatives to submit DNA samples at their relevant District Police Office alongside two photographs and proof of relationship.
Massive search, rescue, and medical operations are ongoing. Security forces have deployed 20,929 personnel to affected zones, while Nepal Army helicopters conducted 11 flight missions today to support logistics and search operations. Rescue teams have successfully pulled 13,784 people to safety so far. A total of 10,365 survivors have received medical treatment provided by security personnel, with 12 individuals currently undergoing intensive hospital care.
To house displaced residents, 21 holding centers are actively hosting displaced families across Nuwakot (306 individuals), Rasuwa (788 individuals), and Dhading (121 individuals).
For families opting out of holding centers, the government has announced an Alternative Housing and Livelihood Grant. Under this program, displaced families will receive a monthly allowance of NPR 15,000 for up to four family members for a maximum of six months, plus an additional NPR 2,000 per extra family member. NDRRMA confirmed that the implementation process has been established and dispatched to local government authorities to begin distributing aid to flood survivors immediately.
