One still missing as heavy rainfall continues to trigger floods and casualties across the district
RAUTAHAT, OCTOBER 7
At least six people have lost their lives in separate incidents of floods and lightning across Rautahat district over the past three days, local authorities confirmed. One child remains missing.
According to police, the body of 12-year-old Arti Kumari, who went missing while bathing in a swollen stream at Karkach village in Dewahi Gonahi Municipality-6 on Monday, was recovered Tuesday morning. Search efforts are still underway to locate 11-year-old Antima Kumari, who went missing in the same incident.
A joint team from the Armed Police Force base camp in Dewahi and the Area Police Office, Dewahi, had been conducting continuous search operations since Monday. Police said Arti's body will be handed over to her family after necessary post-mortem procedures.
In another incident, 10-year-old Arbaz Miya of Rajpur Municipality-8 drowned while bathing in the Lal Bakaiya River on Monday afternoon. Locals rescued him and rushed him to the Rajpur Primary Health Center, where doctors pronounced him dead.
Earlier, on Sunday night, 60-year-old Rajkumari Devi of Ishanath Municipality-1, Banjraha village, drowned after falling into floodwaters near her home. Similarly, 75-year-old Panma Devi of Madhav Narayan Municipality-8, Khadki Rajbada, died after being swept away by the Bagmati River while collecting firewood.
Meanwhile, a lightning strike in Kathariya Municipality-2, Hathiyahi Tole killed two teenagers - 17-year-old Saroj Laheri, son of Merulal Laheri, and 16-year-old Navin Yadav, son of Ramdhyan Rai Yadav - on Sunday evening.
Authorities reported that six fatalities have been confirmed so far due to floods and lightning in Rautahat, with one person still missing and one injured.
Security sources indicated that official data are still being verified as rescue and assessment efforts continue.
