Nepal flooding death toll may rise as search continues in Dhading

Residents of Dhading district in Nepal expressed growing concern that the confirmed death toll from recent flooding does not reflect the true scale of the disaster, with many fearing additional bodies remain trapped beneath the thick silt and mud deposits that have consumed hillside settlements.

The flooding, triggered by intense monsoon rains and swollen waterways, has wreaked widespread destruction across the mountainous region, sweeping away homes, livestock, and crops. Survivors described harrowing scenes as entire neighborhoods were engulfed by the surging floodwaters, which left behind a landscape transformed by thick accumulations of mud.

Local authorities have deployed search and rescue teams to comb through affected areas, though the scale of the disaster and difficult terrain have complicated recovery operations. Engineers and disaster management officials have warned that ground stabilization poses significant challenges, limiting access to zones where residents believe missing persons may be located.

Nepal's disaster management agency has called for additional resources and international assistance as rescue operations continue. The disaster underscores the region's vulnerability to extreme weather events, particularly during the annual monsoon season when heavy rainfall frequently triggers flooding and landslides across South Asia's mountain zones.