At least 17 Nepali citizens have gone missing in the devastating floods in India’s Uttarakhand. Four of them are from Bardiya and 13 from Jajarkot.
A total of more than 100 people are missing, and five have died in the floods that hit on Wednesday afternoon.
The most severe damage occurred in Dharali Bazaar of Uttarkashi district. Dharali is located at an altitude of about 3,100 meters above sea level and is also on the Four Dhams pilgrimage route. Many Nepalis from Sudurpaschim and Karnali Provinces go to the bordering Indian state for work.
Rescue operations are still ongoing in the affected areas. According to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, about 190 people have been rescued from the disaster-hit regions so far.
Indian authorities have attributed the flood to a cloudburst. Uttarakhand, located in the western Himalayas, is considered extremely vulnerable to flash floods and landslides.
Nepal has initiated diplomatic efforts requesting India to search for those who have gone missing in the flood.
“I am deeply concerned by the tragic news of the huge loss of life and property due to floods in Uttarakhand, a neighbouring and friendly country in India. It has been reported that more than 17 Nepali citizens have also been affected by the floods. Immediate diplomatic discussions were held through the embassy for their rescue. I pay my respects to all those who lost their lives in the floods and landslides and wish the bereaved families the strength to bear the loss,” Oli wrote on Facebook.
