The confirmed death toll from catastrophic flash floods in northern Nepal has risen to 1,355, with 4,996 people still unaccounted for, according to government data released on Monday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said search and rescue teams had recovered 1,355 bodies from eight districts following the late-August floods. Chitwan recorded the highest number of fatalities with 363, followed by Nawalparasi East with 222 and Nawalparasi West with 221.

Of those still unaccounted for, 2,340 are from Nuwakot and 1,967 from Rasuwa. The figure also includes 589 foreign nationals and around 100 security and government personnel.

Emergency teams have rescued 13,396 people so far. More than 21,000 security personnel remain deployed in the worst-hit mountain areas, including 9,287 soldiers from the Nepali Army, 7,912 personnel from the Nepal Police and 4,203 from the Armed Police Force.

Helicopters have been crucial in reaching isolated areas of the Himalayas. Military, paramilitary and private operators based in Kathmandu have carried out nearly 1,500 flights to deliver supplies and evacuate survivors.

The government has allocated Rs160 million ($1.06 million) in emergency funds to affected district offices and municipal councils. More than 3,500 displaced people are being housed in 39 holding centres, while medical teams have treated 6,672 injured people.

Restoration of essential infrastructure is under way. Electricity has been restored to more than 78 percent of households in Rasuwa, over 96 percent in Nuwakot and more than 99 percent in Dhading. Telecommunications operators have also restored nearly 98 percent of damaged mobile towers.

Humanitarian agencies say difficult access and damaged roads remain the main obstacles to delivering heavy equipment and sustaining relief operations in remote parts of the affected districts.