Much of the settlement was swept away by the flood, while damaged roads have hampered relief, rescue and the search for people still missing.

The new funding will support up to 20,000 people in Bagmati Province with shelter, cash assistance, healthcare, water and sanitation services, and other emergency aid.

The peak September-November season accounts for nearly 40 percent of Nepal’s annual tourist arrivals. That makes the coming months crucial for an industry still recovering from successive shocks.

The returnees were among 147 Nepali citizens stranded in China after devastating flood in the Bhotekoshi river on August 26, with more expected to cross the border in the coming days.

Forensic scientist Lata Gautam on documenting the dead, the limits of DNA, the choices Nepal is making over the hundreds of unidentified flood victims — and the forensic capacity the country still lacks.

The renowned tunnel expert says underground environments can remain survivable for a long time after devastation above ground, citing past rescues in Chile, Thailand and India.

A Chinese Y-20A transport aircraft delivered mortuary freezers, epidemic prevention materials and daily necessities while 10 forensic experts arrived to assist with victim identification.

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal updated diplomats on the devastation across five districts, describing the disaster as a “Himalayan tsunami” and highlighting international support for the response.

The death toll continues to rise as thousands remain unaccounted for, including nearly 900 hydropower workers still missing.

More rain is expected in the upper reaches of the rivers, with water levels likely to rise significantly in Rasuwa and Nuwakot and surrounding areas.

Washed-out roads, altered river courses and unreliable radio links have left helicopter crews navigating narrow valleys with little help from ground-based air traffic control.

Most mobile services have been restored, but damaged towers and fibre have forced operators onto slower backup systems as experts call for the implementation of a disaster communications plan drafted after the 2015 earthquake.

The contributions, meant for flood-affected children, demonstrate that even small gestures can provide meaningful relief in times of disaster, teachers say.

Families perform funeral rites using effigies, mourners struggle to find cooking gas.