Seti flash flood death toll 21; 44 still missing

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

POKHARA: Four more bodies of those missing in Seti River’s flash flood on Saturday were recovered today.

The death toll now has reached 21. Forty-four people, including three foreigners, are still missing. Likewise, mutilated bodies of other two were found from different places. Of the 21 confirmed dead so far, identities of 18 have been established. Police said the 18 bodies had already been handed to the families. Bodies of those whose identities were yet to be ascertained have been kept at Western Regional Hospital, Pokhara.

Nepali Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police personnel scrambled today as well with three excavators and two bulldozers to find the missing. Sniffer dogs have been deployed at Kharapani to search the dead. Tourism entrepreneurs have also stepped up search operation to find the three missing Ukrainians.

Bharat Kumar Gurung, a resident of Sardikhola, who lost his parents and his domestic help, said he could have at least performed the final rites of his parents had the bodies been found.

Rupa BK said she had given up hope that her husband was alive. “At least I would have performed the final rites if the body was found,” she said. Rescuers, however, managed to salvage five buffaloes alive from different places today.