Five Nepalis missing in Uttarakhand, says Nepali embassy in New Delhi

KATHMANDU: The Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi has reported that five Nepalis are missing after a flood in Uttarakhand State of India.

Issuing a statement on Friday, the embassy said the incident occurred on Wednesday in Bagoda, Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. “Following the floods and landslides in Bagoda on August 6, five Nepalis have gone missing. Similarly, out of four injured, three have returned home after treatment, while one is still receiving care at a local hospital,” the statement said, citing Uttarakhand Police.

According to the embassy, 372 people were rescued unharmed after a separate landslide and flood in Dharali, Uttarkashi district, on Tuesday, and that no Nepalis were among the dead or injured in that incident.

According to the statement, the embassy is in touch with relevant agencies of the Uttarakhand government and India’s Ministry of External Affairs to search for and rescue the missing Nepalis, provide medical treatment to the injured and extend other necessary support.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said Nepal has initiated diplomatic efforts with India to locate 17 Nepali workers missing in the Dharali floods.

Writing a message on his social media page, Oli requested the Indian government to assist in the search for the Nepali workers. “I am deeply saddened by the tragic news of the massive loss of life and property caused by floods in Uttarakhand. Reports suggest that more than 17 Nepali citizens are among those affected. Through our embassy, we have already begun diplomatic engagement for their rescue,” he added.

Of the 17 missing, 13 are from Jajarkot district and four from Bardiya. They lost contact after the devastating floods in Dharali on Tuesday afternoon.

Hari Chandra Basnet, chairperson of Kushe Rural Municipality in Jajarkot, told RSS news agency that there has been no contact with the missing locals since the disaster.

The District Administration Office, Bardiya, has also confirmed that four people from Bardiya have gone out of contact after the Dharali floods.