POKHARA: Driver of an excavator has been missing after the vehicle plunged into Nilgiri River at Naarchyang of Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, Myagdi on Sunday evening.

The excavator (Ba 2 Ka 6007) owned by Buddha Constructions was being used for road construction under the Nilgiri River Hydroelectricity Project when it met with an accident and fell into the river.

The driver has been identified as Kamal Thapa Magar (22) of Bhimad Municipality in Tanahun district, according to Myagdi Chief District Officer Liladhar Adhikari. The assistant driver, identified as Sagar Paaija (19) of Naarchyang in Annapurna Rural Municipality, swam out to safety but has sustained injuries. He has been sent to Beni Hospital for treatment.

Nepal Army and Nepal Police carried out the search today to check whether the driver is stuck inside the bucket of the excavator. The missing has not been found yet, informed Adhikari. They are also searching for him in Nilgiri River.

He added, army and police personnel, in addition to the ongoing search, are also trying to open the Beni-Jomsom road, which has been closed for three days due to the flood.

Meanwhile, waterpipe repair works are being carried out at Beni Bazaar after a drinking water pipe got swept away by the flood. Beni Bazaar has been suffering from a drinking water crisis since then.