Nepal floods: Five more Indians rescued, taking total to 163 as search operations continue

Five more Indian nationals have been rescued in floodhit Nepal since Monday taking the total number of Indians rescued to 163 the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said on Tuesday as search and rescue operations continued in areas devastated by last weeks floodsThe MEA said Indian rescue and forensic teams were continuing to assist Nepalese authorities in the aftermath of the disaster which has claimed more than 1000 lives and left thousands of people out of contactThe ministry also said that 151 Indian nationals left China on Tuesday though it did not provide further details in its statementIndian rescue team faces difficult conditions in hydropower tunnelThe MEA said an Indian tunnel rescue team had established a foothold at hydropower tunnels in Chilime but was facing significant operational challenges while attempting to reach people who may still be trapped insideldquoAfter establishing a foothold at hydropower tunnels in Chilime the Indian tunnel rescue team had to overcome several challenges such as extremely restricted access space limitations on use of specialised equipment due to terrain and a marshy tunnel floor Using innovative methods and improvised floats the team was able to move deeper in the tunnel Its efforts will continue tomorrow to try and rescue any individuals that may be trapped insiderdquo stated the MinistryRescue teams are continuing their efforts despite difficult terrain and restricted access to some of the affected sitesIndian forensic team assists with DNA examinationThe Indian forensic team has also expanded its operations in coordination with Nepalese authorities to assist with the identification and examination of bodies recovered after the floodsldquoThe forensic team from India expanded its activities today in coordination with its counterparts from Nepal to undertake tasks such as examination of DNA and analysis This will help expedite the processing of DNA samples in Nepalrdquo the MEA saidThe assistance comes as authorities continue to recover bodies from rivers and other areas affected by the disasterNepal flood death toll crosses 1000More than 1000 people have now been confirmed dead following the devastating floods with bodies continuing to be recovered along riverbanks and in affected districtsThe number of bodies recovered has reached 1003 the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority NDRRMA said in an update on TuesdayThe highest number of bodies mdash 321 mdash was recovered in southern Chitwan district followed by 216 in Nawalparasi EastThe scale of the disaster has made search and identification operations particularly challenging with authorities continuing to assess the full extent of the damage and casualtiesNearly 4000 people remain out of contactAccording to the NDRRMA 3916 people including 583 foreign nationals remain out of contact following the floodsPersonnel from the Nepali Army Armed Police Force Nepal Police and other government agencies are among those reported missingThe large number of people who remain unaccounted for has added to concerns that the toll could rise as search teams gain access to areas that were cut off or heavily damaged by the floodsHundreds linked to hydropower projects still missingThe disaster has also affected workers and personnel deployed at hydropower facilities along major river corridorsAccording to the NDRRMA 639 people working at various hydropower projects along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river corridors have remained out of contact since last weeks floodsGovernment authorities said search rescue and relief operations were continuing across the affected districts with security personnel and disaster response teams working to locate missing people and provide assistance to survivorsWith inputs from IANS