Kathmandu: The latest donations have pushed the fund’s total balance to Rs 4.09 billion.

The devastating floods, which struck on Wednesday, have killed at least 626 people in Nepal, while more than 2,400 people in the country remain missing. Nearly 2,500 people have been evacuated as rescue and relief teams continue operations across badly affected areas.

The disaster, triggered by a glacier collapse, sent a massive torrent of water, rock, ice, mud and debris through mountain river systems, sweeping away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges and causing extensive damage to hydropower projects and other infrastructure.

Following the widespread devastation, the Nepal government declared affected areas disaster zones, prompting a surge in financial assistance from organisations, institutions and individuals.

According to sources at the Prime Minister’s Office, the relief fund received Rs 1.91 billion within 36 hours between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday midnight. A further Rs 385.5 million was contributed on Friday alone. The fresh donations raised the fund balance from Rs 2.17 billion to Rs 4.09 billion.

The government has designated the Ministry of Finance as the focal ministry for receiving donations and coordinating financial assistance. Contributions have been deposited into accounts maintained across 10 commercial banks.

Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle has also been personally receiving contributions of Rs 10 million or more from institutional donors, according to his secretariat. Individual donors can make cash contributions by visiting the ministry directly.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah and members of his Cabinet have also decided to donate one month’s salary to the disaster relief fund as Nepal mobilises resources for rescue, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

The scale of the destruction is expected to require substantial long-term assistance, with the government estimating that Nepal could need between $4 billion and $5 billion for reconstruction.