Kathmandu— Nine days have passed since 12 individuals from Madhyabindu Municipality-5, Nawalpur, including Gangaram Mukhiya and his son Bishal, Sitaram Mahato and his son Yuddha, Hem Bahadur Chaudhary, Jeevan BK, Eak Dev Mahato, Num Narayan Mahato, Keshav Prasad Mahato, and Tej Bahadur Tharu, went missing following a devastating flood in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa. All were working at Tenzing Sherpa Hydropower Building Construction in Timure when they disappeared.

Families' Anxieties

The families of the missing individuals are anxiously waiting for any news. Gangaram Mukhiya's wife, Mina Kumari Mukhiya, spoke to her husband on the morning before the flood and was informed that he would return home once his work was completed in 12 days. Since then, she has been calling every day, hoping to hear from him or his son Bishal. Gangaram’s daughter, Yam Kumari Mukhiya, is also waiting for her father and elder brother to return.

Search Efforts

Bir Bahadur Kumal, a ward member of Madhyabindu-5, stated that elected representatives from the ward had gone to the disaster site and searched for four days but returned without finding any survivors or bodies. Top Bahadur Mahato, another local, noted that silence has descended across the village as several relatives remain missing.

Wider Impact

The flood affected not just these 12 individuals but also others from Nawalpur. According to the District Administration Office, a total of twenty people have gone missing in the Bhotekoshi flood on August 26. The list includes thirteen from Madhyabindu Municipality, three from Kawasoti, three from Binayi Tribeni, and one each from Gaindakot and Devchuli municipalities.

The families of the missing individuals continue to hope for news about their loved ones who went missing after the Bhotekoshi flood.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.