Flood-hit Nepal bank yields NPR 50 crore worth of gold, NPR 1.5 crore cash; police recover valuables

KATHMANDU: Nepal Police have recovered cash, gold and important documents from the Trishuli Dhunge branch of the Agriculture Development Bank in Nuwakot district, which was severely affected by floods. Following an operation that lasted nearly eight hours, police moved around NPR 1.5 crore in cash and gold estimated to be worth around NPR 50 crore from the bank's lockers to a secure location, according to police. Important and confidential documents were also recovered from the bank.

Despite the floodwaters gushing through the area, police entered the bank and retrieved the valuables. The items were subsequently shifted to another high-security location. Nepal Police shared details of the operation and visuals of the recovery effort on X. The post also drew praise for the police operation.

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Meanwhile, the death toll from flash floods and landslides in Nepal has risen to 903, while 4,247 people have been reported missing, according to the Disaster Management Authority. Rescue operations have entered their sixth day, with search operations continuing in several areas. There is still no information about the Malayalis reported missing. The United States has also said that approximately 85 of its citizens remain unaccounted for.

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Authorities have begun the mass burial of unidentified bodies of those killed in the floods. Temporary burial grounds have been prepared in Devghat forest in Chitwan district for hundreds of bodies. Many of the bodies swept away by the floods have begun decomposing and are in an unidentifiable condition. Authorities decided to bury the bodies collectively amid concerns that the decomposing remains could pose a threat to public health.

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The bodies are being buried in Devghat forest in Chitwan, around 200 km from the worst-affected Rasuwa area. Forest paths that were earlier used by people for morning walks and other activities have now been turned into temporary burial grounds.