Twenty-nine bodies have been recovered from tunnels at two hydropower projects in Nepal, more than three weeks after devastating floods blocked the entrances, as the official death toll from the disaster rose to 1,451 and nearly 5,800 people remained unaccounted for.

Rescue teams recovered 24 bodies from the Trishuli-1 Hydroelectric Project over two days on September 17 and 18, after drilling into tunnels where workers were believed to have been trapped. Five more bodies were recovered from the Chilime hydropower project on September 16.

Most of the victims have yet to be identified. Their bodies were airlifted to Nuwakot by a Nepal Army helicopter on Saturday.

A total of three workers — two Nepali and one Chinese — were pulled alive from inside hydropower tunnels ten days after the disaster.

The rescue of the three workers had raised hopes among relatives that others trapped underground might also be found alive. Those hopes have since given way to the recovery of bodies from the flooded tunnels.

Relatives of hydropower workers have accused the government of mounting a slow and inadequate rescue effort. Some families continued to hope that their relatives might still be alive inside the tunnels, even three weeks after floodwaters blocked access to several hydropower projects along the Trishuli River.

The latest figures from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority show that 5,786 people were still listed as missing as of 7pm on Sunday. Officials cautioned that the figure could change as records are verified and duplicate entries removed.

The floods and landslides struck several districts in late August, causing widespread destruction across central Nepal. Chitwan recorded the highest number of deaths, at 367, followed by Nuwakot with 236, Nawalparasi East with 232 and Rasuwa with 203.

More than 13,700 people have been rescued, while 15 remain in five hospitals. More than 20,900 security personnel have been deployed for search, rescue and relief operations. The Nepal Army conducted 33 helicopter sorties to affected areas on Sunday.

Rasuwa and neighbouring Nuwakot account for the largest number of missing people. Rasuwa has 3,513 people listed as missing, including 1,677 local residents and 1,836 people from other districts. Nuwakot has 1,747 missing, including 657 local residents and 1,090 from elsewhere.

The government said 636 foreign nationals were also listed among the missing.

Officials said the missing figures could include unidentified bodies, people who had already been rescued and duplicate entries, and that verification was continuing.

The government has established 20 holding centres, housing 1,231 displaced people in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading.

It has announced a monthly allowance of 15,000 Nepali rupees ($105) per family for up to six months for families unwilling to remain in the holding centres. Families with more than four members will receive an additional 2,000 rupees for each additional member.