Bhote Koshi-Trishuli Floods: Number of Missing Climbs to 826, How Data Is Being Collected
Image source, Nepali Army
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Authorities have reported that the number of missing persons after the flood in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers on Wednesday has reached 826.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has stated that search efforts have deployed everything from security forces’ helicopters to divers to locate those missing.
The sudden devastating flood, originating from Tibet on Wednesday morning, has impacted districts such as Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, and Chitwan. Bodies continue to be recovered from various locations.
According to Shanti Mahat, spokesperson for the authority, 826 people are missing, including tourists and personnel from various security agencies. Among them, 579 are tourists.
“Some individuals may be safe in remote locations, but due to the lack of telephone contact, they might be in difficulties. Therefore, we are not categorizing these numbers as ‘missing persons.’ Those listed as missing may later be found safe with security support,” she explained.
“Discussions are underway to deploy helicopters from the private sector to assist in search and rescue operations.”
Highest Number of Missing Persons in Rasuwa
Image source, Reuters
Rescue efforts for those trapped at various locations continue following Wednesday’s flood.
The Nepali Army reported that on Thursday it safely rescued more than 100 people, including some foreigners, from the Timure area in Rasuwa district near the China border.
“From early morning until 11 AM, 125 people, including 20 foreigners, were airlifted from Timure and Mailung areas,” the army’s latest update stated.
Similarly, seven individuals trapped in a hydroelectric project tunnel in Haku, also in Rasuwa, have been successfully rescued, the army confirmed.
According to spokesperson Mahat, the highest number of missing persons is concentrated in Rasuwa.
“Among them are security personnel. In Rasuwa alone, 44 army personnel, 28 police officers, and 13 armed police are missing. There are also 466 tourists and 161 others unaccounted for,” she said.
“The involvement of security forces in the affected areas poses challenges for search and rescue operations.”
Deployment of Divers
Security authorities have reported that bodies continue to be found in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Tanahun, Chitwan, Nawalparasi East, and Nawalparasi West.
Officials fear some bodies may have been carried into India by floodwaters.
To search for missing individuals, armed police divers have been deployed from the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa down to the Narayani River in Chitwan, shared deputy spokesperson Shailendra Thapa.
“We have deployed 11 divers from Chitwan, 3 from Kurintar, and 9 from the disaster rescue battalion in Kathmandu. They are being sent to locations including Devghat, Nawalpur, Dhading-Chitwan, and Rasuwa-Nuwakot river areas.”
“There are 114 divers within the armed police. We are increasing the number deployed in affected areas. Additional human resources from Chitwan are being sent,” he added.
How Missing Person Data Is Being Collected
Image source, ndrrma
The authority updates casualty numbers via emergency operation mechanisms established at provincial and district levels.
Spokesperson Mahat noted efforts are underway to regularly update these sensitive figures accurately by enhancing those mechanisms accordingly.
“Starting today, data will be updated every hour. Accordingly, information on the disaster authority’s Facebook page and websites is also kept current.”
“Since data is validated by chief district officers, the risk of counting one person twice is minimized,” she added.
“However, it is challenging to identify missing persons if they are admitted to hospitals or incapacitated and unable to communicate. Identifying deceased victims also remains difficult.”
Additionally, some relatives of missing people have been calling the authority’s toll-free number 1234 to provide information about their loved ones.
“On Thursday, we are intensifying the search and rescue operations. As mobile towers become operational, there is hope to establish contact with some individuals. We will continue to disseminate information accordingly.”