Status of three missing in Ramechhap flood still unknown

Ramechhap, July 19

Authorities in Ramechhap have yet to establish the whereabouts of three out of five persons who were swept away by Chhattiwane Khola in Ramechhap five days ago. The bodies of two persons, identified as Bal Kumari Khatri, 75, of Likhu Rural Municipality, and Basudev Karki of Manthali Municipality were found on Sunday.

District Police Office Chief Kumodh Dhungel identified those still missing as Suman Kumari Khatri of Likhu, and Ashok Tamang of Gokulganga and his 12-year-old daughter Manila.

“A search for the missing is under way,” said Dhungel, adding Nepal Police, Nepali Army and Armed Police Force personnel have been deployed for the search operation.

“As the river is in full spate, our search is facing some difficulty,” he said. Those involved in the search operation have said that there is now little chance of finding the missing alive.

Meanwhile, the district natural disaster rescue committee has decided to provide Rs 140,000 in relief to each of the families of the deceased.

“While one lakh rupees will be provided as relief, an additional 40,000 rupees will be provided as funeral expenses to each family of the victims,” said CDO Surya Bahadur Khatri, who is also chairperson of the rescue committee.

Earlier, Nepal Red Cross Society members and representatives from various non-governmental organisations had also distributed relief materials to the families of victims.