The death toll from the devastating flash floods in Nepal rose to 538 on Friday, as search and rescue teams continued to recover bodies across the affected areas, Nepal Police said, reported the PTI.
The rescue operation entered its third day amid warnings of possible fresh flooding caused by rising water levels in a lake formed by avalanches near the border with Tibet.
According to Nepal Police, bodies have been recovered from eight districts across the Himalayan country.
The highest number of deaths was reported from Chitwan, where 221 bodies were recovered, followed by Nawalparasi East with 134.
Other recoveries included 46 bodies in Gorkha, 37 in Nuwakot, 33 in Dhading, 28 in Tanu, 27 in Nawalparasi West and 12 in Rasuwa.
Thousands of security personnel deployed
Nepal Police said search and rescue operations were continuing with 7,451 security personnel deployed across the affected areas.
The force includes 2,391 personnel from the Nepal Army, along with personnel from other security agencies involved in rescue and recovery efforts.
Teams have been working to locate missing people and recover bodies from areas hit by the floods.
Fresh flood threat raises concern
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) warned on Friday that rising water levels at the site of an earlier flash flood had increased the risk of another flood.
The warning comes days after a massive flash flood swept through Rasuwa and other parts of central Nepal on Wednesday, killing hundreds and leaving thousands of people missing.
Authorities are closely monitoring water levels as rescue operations continue.
People urged to move to safer areas
The NDRRMA urged people involved in search and rescue operations to remain highly alert.
It also warned people staying in the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli areas for various reasons to take precautions and immediately move to safer locations if they face any danger.
The latest warning has added to the challenges faced by rescue teams, who are continuing operations while keeping an eye on the possibility of further flooding.
Rescue operations continue with caution
Authorities are balancing rescue and recovery efforts with the need to protect personnel and local residents from additional flooding.
Officials have advised people in vulnerable areas to follow safety instructions and avoid approaching locations where water levels could rise suddenly.
The situation remains fluid as teams continue searching for those still missing in the flood-hit areas.
(with PTI inputs)
Nepal floods: Death toll rises to 538 as fresh flooding threat emerges
