Kathmandu— Twenty-six police officers are missing following a flash flood along the Bhotekoshi River in Nepal’s Rasuwa district, authorities confirmed. The officers, stationed at units in Timure, Syafrubesi, Simle, and Mailung, lost contact amidst the rapidly rising waters on Saturday. Rescue efforts have so far recovered eight bodies from Nuwakot and Dhading districts, while assessments continue to determine the full extent of damage to settlements, bridges, and roadways along the river.

Search and Rescue Operations

Central Police Spokesperson, Deputy Inspector General Abi Narayan Kafle, reported that communication has been lost with all twenty-six officers. Search and rescue teams are actively working in Nuwakot and Dhading to locate both the missing personnel and additional victims of the flood. The operation is complicated by the scale of the disaster and damage to critical infrastructure.

Extent of Damage

The immense flooding has caused widespread destruction along the Bhotekoshi River corridor. Settlements, bridges, and road networks have sustained major damage, hindering rescue efforts and access to affected areas. Authorities are currently working to gather comprehensive data on the full scope of the devastation.

Recovery Efforts Underway

Eight bodies were recovered from Nuwakot and Dhading during initial search operations following the flash flood. The recovery of these remains underscores the severity of the event and the challenges faced by rescue teams. Authorities are continuing to collect details regarding the damage caused by the flooding.

Efforts remain focused on locating the missing police officers and assessing the full extent of the damage in the Bhotekoshi riverside areas.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.