CHITWAN: Around 600 tourists, who were stranded due to flooding in Sauraha in Chitwan, have been waiting to be rescued, authorities said on Monday.

The swollen Rapti and Budhirapti Rivers have inundated many hotels in the tourist d  estination, and efforts were on to rescue the tourists trapped in flooded hotels with the help of tamed elephants, said Chairman of the Regional Hotel Association  Sauraha Suman Ghimire.

The Chief District Officer and the Nepal Tourism Board were informed about the situation and asked for rescue operation.

Managing Director of Hotel Seven Star Madhav Duwadi said Home Ministry has also been requested for help.

The trapped tourists include 200 Nepalis, 200 Indian and another 200 from various countries.

Chief District Officer Narayan Prasad Bhatta said efforts were on to shift the trapped tourists to safer place.

Four rubber rafts have been sought from Devghat for the rescue operation, he added.