Kathmandu. The massive flood in Bhote Koshi river in northern Nepal on Wednesday caused huge devastation. According to Nepal Tourism Department, bodies of seven people have been recovered so far, while 384 travelers are reported missing. The missing passengers include 291 foreign nationals, including 105 Indians. Apart from this, information about missing of 93 Nepalese citizens has also come to light.
The floods have caused extensive damage to homes, vehicles, bridges and other infrastructure in areas bordering Tibet. According to local media, many others are also still uncontactable. Four Nepal Armed Police Force personnel deployed at a border post in North Rasuwa are missing. Apart from this, information has come to light that 14 employees of Rasuwa Customs Office and 32 soldiers of Nepal Police are not in contact. According to the Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal, 15 hydropower projects have been affected by the floods, including 10 operational and five under construction projects.
According to officials, the water level of the river suddenly increased at around 9 am on Wednesday. According to initial information, the flood water is said to be coming from Tibet. The border settlements of Timure and Syarubbesi have been most affected. Several villages and infrastructure projects were reported washed away, although the full picture of the damage is not yet known.
Rasuwa administration official Narendra Pariyar said that there have been reports of villages and project sites being washed away and there is a possibility of huge loss of life and property. According to Nepal Army, vehicles, commercial goods and other property were washed away in water in Timure and Syabrubesi. Many vehicles and goods parked at the customs complex were also hit by the floods, while a recently constructed bridge was also destroyed.
Seeing the seriousness of the situation, Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah held a high-level meeting at Singh Darbar and reviewed the relief and rescue operations. He instructed to take extra vigilance in low-lying areas and immediately shift the displaced people to safe places. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has advised people living on river banks in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan and Gorkha to remain alert and move to safe places if necessary.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also announced emergency assistance to help the flood victims. According to the Health Department, essential medicines, health equipment and 15 emergency tents are being sent for about 1,000 people. 100 emergency beds have been reserved for flood victims at Bir Hospital and Trauma Center in Kathmandu. So far, three seriously injured have been airlifted to Kathmandu.
Joint teams of Nepali Army, Armed Police Forces and Nepal Police are engaged in relief and rescue operations. 14 helicopters have been deployed for the search operation. According to officials, 25 people had been safely rescued by Wednesday afternoon. At present, the operation to search for missing people and provide relief in the affected areas is going on continuously.