Following the devastating flood in Rasuwa’s Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers, 644 tourists and travelers have been reported out of contact.
According to data released by the Nepal Tourism Board as of 12 p.m. Thursday, the missing include 127 Nepali nationals and 517 foreign nationals.
Among the foreign nationals reported out of contact, Indian citizens make up the largest number.
According to the board’s preliminary figures, 178 Indian nationals are out of contact, followed by 65 Americans, 53 Ukrainians, 51 Malaysians, 35 Australians, 33 British nationals, and 25 Canadians.
Other missing foreign nationals include one Belarusian, three Belgians, one Bulgarian, one Finn, four French nationals, eight Germans, one Hungarian, two Italians, two Irish nationals, one Israeli, five Japanese, two Kazakhs, six Latvians, one Lithuanian, two Dutch nationals, five New Zealanders, one Filipino, two Portuguese nationals, eight Russians, one Serbian, nine Singaporeans, six South Africans, three Spaniards, one Swede, and one Swiss national.
The NTB said that these are preliminary figures collected from trekking and travel companies.
Authorities are coordinating with travel agencies, guides, local administrations, and security agencies to verify the status and whereabouts of those reported missing.
Meanwhile, the flood in the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers has caused extensive damage to riverside settlements and infrastructure.
The NTB said that efforts are underway to locate tourists and travelers in the affected areas or traveling through them, and to rescue those who are injured or stranded.
The flood has also caused significant damage to roads, bridges, and other infrastructure in Rasuwa and surrounding districts.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, 165 bodies have been recovered so far from the flood-affected areas, while search and rescue operations are continuing.
