Conflicting Data on Missing and Deceased in Flood
Summary
Conflicting figures have emerged from Nepal Police and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority on the number of people missing and dead in the Rasuwa Bhote Koshi flood and landslide disaster. The discrepancy has confused the public, with officials blaming duplicated reporting from multiple security agencies.
Key Points
- Nepal Police reported 4,044 missing persons on Sunday, while the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported 4,996.
- The two agencies also released different death toll figures, with police citing 1,341 bodies and the authority citing 1,331.
- Police spokesperson DIG Aabinarayan Kafle said police data is more factual because it is collected through a nationwide network and verified before release.
- Authority spokesperson Shanti Mahat said the variation may be due to duplication in reports received from police, Armed Police, and the Nepali Army.
