Death toll from Bhotekoshi River flood rises to 553; 1,473 rescued as searches intensify
KATHMANDU: The death toll from Wednesday morning’s sudden flood in Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa district has risen to 553, police said on Friday.
Police Headquarters at Naxal said 1,473 people have been rescued from affected districts, of whom 572 were from Rasuwa, 898 from Nuwakot and three from Dhading.
Bodies recovered by Friday evening included 13 in Rasuwa, 40 in Dhading, 31 in Tanahun, 38 in Nuwakot, 47 in Gorkha, 222 in Chitwan, 134 in Nawalparasi East and 28 in Nawalparasi West, the police said.
In total, the police said 2,381 people, including members of the public, are missing.
Security personnel from multiple agencies lost contact after the flood. Police records show 44 personnel from the Nepali Army, 27 from Nepal Police and 13 from Armed Police Force, Nepal (APF Nepal), remain unaccounted for.
Several injured people have been taken to Kathmandu for medical care. Police reported that 97 individuals are currently receiving treatment or have been discharged from hospitals in the capital.
Search and rescue operations have been stepped up across the affected regions, with teams from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, APF Nepal, Customs and Immigration offices taking part.
(With inputs from RSS)
