KATHMANDU, Oct 5 — Nepal has ended the search and rescue for those still missing after the devastating flood in August that killed at least 1,455 people, officials said today.
At least 5,285 people are still missing after the August 26 flood originating at Nepal’s border with China’s Tibet region. Another 13,795 people have been rescued.
“We are moving from the search and rescue phase to the search and rehabilitation phase,” National Emergency Operation Centre chief Phanindra Paudel told Reuters.
He said authorities are considering how to legally declare missing persons dead to allow their families to complete insurance, banking and other legal formalities.
“We are initiating due processes to complete required legal formalities,” Paudel said.
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority chief Dharam Raj Uprety said authorities will no longer search for bodies but will recover any remains, property or other valuables found during the rehabilitation process. He said emergency rescues would still be carried out if needed.
The flood destroyed 12 hydroelectric projects, as well as roads, bridges, farms and settlements.
Authorities have said they need nearly US$5 billion (RM20.4 billion) for the early recovery and rehabilitation of the thousands of people displaced by the flood.
