New Public Health Risks Arise from Scattered Bodies Following Bhote Koshi-Trishuli Floods
Following the devastating flood in Bhote Koshi, Rasuwa, on Wednesday, officers handling emergency services have reported that while there are no major issues regarding treatment and management of the injured, the scattered bodies present a significant new challenge.
Authorities are also concerned about the risk of epidemics as a large number of livestock may have been buried by the floodwaters, posing health threats to the affected areas.
By the third day after the flooding, a foul odor has started to spread in the affected communities.
“There is a fear that this may trigger another disaster,” said Phanindra Prasad Paudel, head of the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) under the Ministry of Home Affairs. “Bodies have been found in residential areas, along riverbanks, and even in water sources.”
The NEOC is the primary disaster management agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Dr. Sameer Kumar Adhikari, deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, emphasized the need for support from local volunteers.
“Security forces are tirelessly working day and night. If any bodies are found around the settlements, they can be reported to security personnel, and if livestock is found, it can be managed at the local level.”
“Decomposing matter can contaminate the water, which animals may drink, potentially polluting household water. Birds and other wildlife can also carry decayed material into homes, contributing to disease spread,” Dr. Adhikari explained.
“Therefore, managing the decomposition waste generated after the flood requires an extremely sensitive approach.”
Image source, PM Secretariat
Storage of Collected Bodies Presents Additional Challenges
Officials state that the death toll due to the flood has already exceeded 500.
Bodies have been found not only from Rasuwa to Nawalparasi but some have even reached India. While some are intact, many are dismembered.
Image source, PM Secretariat
According to NEOC chief Paudel, identifying bodies and returning them to families has been challenging, and discussions on proper management are ongoing.
With bodies flowing from Timure to the Narayani River and possibly as far as India, issues regarding search, identification, and management persist.
Hospitals in Kathmandu are unable to handle all the bodies, so arrangements for storage have been made at multiple locations, according to Dr. Adhikari from the Ministry of Health.
“The method of storing bodies is also challenging. Currently, Chitwan has the highest number (over 100), followed by Pokhara (around 90), as well as several hospitals in Nawalpur, Rupandehi, and Kapilvastu,” he said.
However, management solely at hospitals is not sufficient. New methods of body storage need to be developed.
It remains unclear how long the bodies will need to be stored.
“Once families identify the bodies, space will be vacated and more bodies can be accommodated. However, identifying dismembered bodies takes time, and if families cannot be contacted, additional time is required,” said the deputy spokesperson.
Hospitals Facing Intense Pressure
Image source, RSS
Treatment of rescued injured individuals has been well-organized as of Friday afternoon.
However, hospital chiefs in affected areas report pressure on manpower and resources and have sought assistance from the NEOC.
The Nepali Army has conducted over 1,600 air rescues between Thursday and Friday afternoon.
Army spokesperson Rajaram Basnet told the BBC, “We have formed various clusters for search, rescue, and treatment. NEOC has instructed hospitals to prepare dedicated beds.” He added, “Medical camps with specialist doctors have been set up in Dhunche and Trishuli.”
“We are providing treatment to the injured and making further arrangements as needed.”
Around 900 people have received primary treatment at medical camps in Trishuli and Dhunche, with many referred for further care elsewhere.
Only one patient has so far been brought to Birendra Hospital in Chhauni, with more expected if necessary.
According to NEOC chief Paudel, hospitals in Kathmandu are not under significant strain.
“Tribhuvan Teaching Hospital has slight pressure with 73 patients admitted; some have already been discharged,” he said. “Bir Hospital has about eleven patients; Nizami Hospital has fewer.”
District Hospitals Under Strain
Although hospitals in Kathmandu appear relatively stable, those in flood-affected districts such as Rasuwa and Nuwakot are under pressure.
In Nuwakot’s Trishuli Hospital, patient inflow continues. According to Hospital Director Dr. Rajendra Lama, 18 patients are currently receiving treatment, including two in ICU.
“We have not been able to rest well for two days. All staff are exhausted. We have already informed NEOC about the need for additional manpower,” said Dr. Lama.
“There are 25-30 staff including doctors here. There are frequent reports of further flooding. The situation is tense,” he added. “Flooding has also led to shop closures, which may create food supply issues for staff.”
In response, NEOC chief Paudel stated that coordination with the Ministry of Health and District Administration Office is underway to resolve the issues.
“Additional support is reaching several locations.”
Road access to Dhunche, Rasuwa’s district headquarters, remains blocked, limiting the arrival of many injured patients.
“About 60 patients arrived on Wednesday and Thursday, but numbers decreased on Friday,” said District Hospital Superintendent Dr. Amit Prajapati. “A team of 11 healthcare workers has arrived from Kathmandu and Dhulikhel.”
Deputy spokesperson Dr. Adhikari noted that, considering infection risks, additional healthcare workers have been deployed in affected areas.
“Health personnel and institutions in high-risk areas such as Timure and Syafrubasi have also been affected. Although there have been some issues, extra healthcare workers have been dispatched to Syafru and surrounding regions.”
“We are preparing to rotate the teams already engaged in medicine and treatment with fresh teams.”