Nepal Flood Death Toll Rises to 270, More Than 800 Remain Missing
Kathmandu — The death toll from devastating floods along the Bhote Koshi River has risen to 270, while more than 800 people remain out of contact, Nepal Police said Thursday.
The flooding began Wednesday after a massive surge of water originating in the Tibetan region of China swept through the transboundary Bhote Koshi River, destroying communities and infrastructure across parts of Nepal.
Police said 108 bodies had been recovered in Chitwan district, the highest number reported so far. Another 62 bodies were recovered in Nawalparasi East, 27 in Dhading and 17 in Rasuwa.
The Nepali government said more than 800 people remained out of contact after the flood struck residential areas, hydropower projects, customs facilities and electricity infrastructure.
The Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal said dozens of workers at hydropower projects were among those still missing.
Seventy-six employees of Andritz Hydro working at the under-construction 216-megawatt Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project remain out of contact. About half are Nepali nationals and the rest are foreign nationals.
Eleven employees of Nepal Water and Energy Development Company, which is developing the project, are also unaccounted for, including eight South Korean nationals.
Another 51 people working at the 111-MW Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project remain out of contact, along with eight employees at the powerhouse of the 5-MW Mailung Khola Hydropower Project. Two employees of civil contractor Sinohydro working at the 120-MW Rasuwa Bhotekoshi Hydropower Project are also missing.
Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said at least 300 Indian nationals, most of them pilgrims traveling for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, have been reported missing following the floods.
Speaking at the NDTV World Anviksha Summit in Kathmandu, Khanal said authorities were still trying to determine the full scale of the disaster and locate those who remain unaccounted for.
“Town after town were wiped out within hours,” Khanal said. “Thousands of families have lost homes and are missing as of now. We are still trying to ascertain the full extent of the disaster.”
He said the affected area is commonly used by foreign pilgrims traveling to Mansarovar.
“Close to 300 Indians have been reported missing and the government is trying to establish contact with them,” Khanal said.
About 500 foreign nationals in total remain out of contact, according to the minister. He said the Nepali government was working with foreign embassies as rescue and relief operations continued in the affected areas. (Source: IANS)
