Nepal’s disaster council decided Monday to suspend most search and rescue operations after the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli floods, while continuing essential searches and shifting its focus to reconstruction and rehabilitation.
The decision follows 40 days of search operations. Police headquarters figures cited by Gorkhapatra put the death toll at 1,456, with 4,718 people still missing. The missing have not been counted among the dead.
The council also agreed to recommend that the Finance Ministry approve about 559.18 billion rupees for 504 rebuilding and rehabilitation plans. The funding remains a proposal. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority was directed to seek more money once cost estimates and priorities are settled for other projects.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah chaired the council meeting in Singha Durbar. According to The Rising Nepal, the decision to curtail searches drew on recommendations from district committees and the disaster authority, as well as field inspections. Shah said federal, provincial and local governments would coordinate the rebuilding work.
Police figures cited by Gorkhapatra show 1,226 displaced people staying in holding centers across several districts. Authorities have collected DNA samples from 3,413 people, including victims and relatives, and police said identification work will continue.
The council said it would prioritize safe housing and repairs to damaged roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
The council also decided to strengthen early warning systems and pursue measures to reduce avalanche risk, Gorkhapatra reported.
