Nepal suspends search and rescue operations for flood missing

Nepal has suspended search and rescue operations for thousands of people still missing in catastrophic floods that hit the Himalayan nation, including six South African nationals.

More than 1 400 people died in the floods that originated along Nepal’s border with China’s Tibet region.

The devastating floods that struck the Himalayan nation on August 26 swept away entire towns and villages.

The officials say the country is now entering the search and rehabilitation phase.

Nepal says 5,200 people went missing, and they are figuring out how to legally declare those missing persons dead.

In the weeks after the floods, many families used effigies to cremate and bury their dead.

However, families say they still need formal paperwork from officials to complete other formalities, such as insurance and banking.

Officials say they will no longer search for bodies, but emergency rescues would still be carried out when and if needed.

Nepal ends search and rescue after flood, focuses on rehabilitation https://t.co/2qc18GNrsN https://t.co/2qc18GNrsN — Reuters (@Reuters) October 5, 2026 RELATED VIDEO | WARNING: Graphic content | Six South Africans missing in Nepal floods