Ramechhap, July 17

The whereabouts of three persons, who went missing after the swollen Chhattiwane River entered a human settlement at Khimti of Likhu Rural Municipality, is yet to be known.

The missing were not found until Monday evening though the joint team comprising personnel from Nepal Police,  Nepali Army and Armed Police Force have been searching for them in Chhattiwane Khola, Khimti Khola and Tamakoshi River and their vicinity since yesterday morning.

Earlier, two persons were swept away by the flooded river leaving three others critically injured when

the river inundated the local settlement on Saturday midnight.

The missing have been identified as Suman Kumari Khatri of Likhu, Khimti; Ashok Tamang of Farpu,  Gokulganga Rural Municipality; and his twelve-year-old daughter Manila Tamang.

“Though the search operation for the missing is going on, we have not been able to trace anything of them yet,” said Chief District Officer Surya Bahadur Khatri, adding that the team was doing its best.

However, the bodies of Bal Kumari Khatri, 75, of Likhu, Khimti; and Basu Dev Karki of Manthali were recovered yesterday and their final rites were performed today.

Likewise, as many as ninepersons who sustained injuries in the flood were airlifted to the capital to undergo further treatment yesterday.

Meanwhile, a rescue team led by Assistant Chief District Officer Sita Ram Thapa

distributed various relief items, including foodstuff, clothes, tents, blankets among other items to the flood victims today.

The team comprises the representatives of Nepal Red Cross Society, non-governmental organisations and lawmakers as well.

Lawmaker Angtawa Sherpa had granted Rs 7,000 each to five families of the deceased as well as those that had gone missing in the flood.