Update: 17 Nepalis missing in Uttarakhand flood, rescue ongoing

At least 17 Nepali citizens have gone missing after a massive flood hit the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Among them, four are from Bardiya and 13 from Jajarkot. Their families have reported them missing and requested help from the local authorities.

According to Bardiya Chief District Officer Surendra Paudel, the missing persons were reported through relatives and other Nepalis living in the area. He also confirmed that three more Nepalis were injured in the incident. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi are coordinating rescue efforts.

Hari chandra Basnet, chairperson of Kuse Rural Municipality in Jajarkot, issued a statement saying over 13 people from Ward 2 and other wards are missing. He called on both provincial and federal governments to take strong diplomatic steps for faster rescue and search operations.

One of the missing people, Man Bahadur Singh, was last heard from by his son, Nabin Singh, who informed the local leader by phone.

Nepali consular official Prakash Malla in New Delhi said they are working with Indian authorities, but an official list of the missing has not yet been confirmed. Final details are expected soon.

In Bardiya, relatives of four missing people from Madhuwan Municipality have submitted an appeal to the local police office in Dhodari, requesting help in the search. The missing include Narendra Khadka, his wife Saraswati, and their 2-year-old son Roman, along with Amrita Pariyar from Ward 5. They had gone to Uttarakhand for labor work in April.

Chitrabahadur Paudel, who had taken them for work, said the group was working near Bankuda village in Pauri district and were caught in the landslide and flood. He confirmed that some others were injured and are being treated at a local hospital.

Rescue operations are still ongoing. Over 190 people have already been rescued, according to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. He also visited the affected areas by helicopter and met some families.

Officials said the disaster was caused by a cloudburst, leading to heavy mud and water flow. BBC Hindi reported that Uttarakhand, located in the western Himalayas, is considered highly vulnerable to flash floods and landslides.