Nepal flood death toll reaches 72, dozens missing amid rescue challenges

A flash flood has devastated Nepal's Rasuwa and surrounding districts, claiming at least 72 lives and leaving dozens missing. The disaster struck on Wednesday, disrupting vital communication lines and significantly hindering ongoing rescue operations.

According to the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), bodies were recovered across seven districts by Wednesday evening. The hardest-hit areas included Chitwan with 28 fatalities, Dhading with 18, and Nuwakot with 11. Rasuwa reported one death, while Gorkha, Tanahu, and Nawalparasi East recorded four, one, and one respectively.

The scale of the tragedy is compounded by the number of missing individuals. Thirty-two security personnel from the Nepal Police and Armed Police Force are unaccounted for in Timure, Rasuwa. Additionally, 60 people associated with the 20MW Langtang Khola Hydropower Project are out of contact. Project promoter Bijay Mohan Bhattarai stated that 25 engineers, drivers, and kitchen staff, along with 35 workers inside a tunnel, have been missing since Wednesday morning. The hydropower project was nearing completion and was scheduled for testing in two days.

Fifteen employees of the Rasuwa Customs Office in Timure are also missing. The Bhotekoshi flood's impact extends to the financial sector, with nine commercial bank branches swept away and approximately 26 employees still out of contact, according to the Nepal Bankers’ Association.

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There were 25 people, including engineers, drivers and kitchen staff, and another 35 were working inside the tunnel. We have not been able to contact them since morning.