Twenty-four bodies were recovered over two days from a house buried by a mud-laden flood in Betrawati, Nuwakot.
The bodies were recovered on Monday and Tuesday from a three-story house in Betrawati, Ward No. 10 of Bidur Municipality.
Police said that the bodies have been sent to various hospitals for identification and management.
Following the devastating flood in the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers on August 26, many people went missing in the Betrawati area. Large amounts of mud and debris were deposited around houses, making it difficult for rescue teams to reach some of the affected buildings.
In response, Nepal Police Headquarters in Naxal deployed several search and rescue teams. A team led by Senior Superintendent of Police Bimal Raj Kandel was deployed to the Nuwakot area.
Drone used to survey house
According to Superintendent of Police Bipin Regmi of the District Police Office, Nuwakot, rescue teams began using drones to survey houses from a distance because the mud surrounding the buildings made them inaccessible.
He said that a rescue team was deployed after the drone survey revealed the presence of bodies inside a house.
“Floodwaters had deposited mud all around the house, making it impossible to reach it,” Regmi said. “The team deployed under SSP Kandel’s command then conducted a drone survey. After the reconnaissance showed that there were bodies inside, another team was mobilized to begin the search and rescue operation.”
Some of the bodies were found buried in mud inside the house, he added.
“Some bodies were half-buried. We managed to recover them with great difficulty,” he said.
Why were so many bodies found in one house?
According to police, Uttargaya Mini Mart operated on the ground floor of the building. Most of the bodies were recovered from the ground floor, while some were also found on the upper floors.
However, police said that the exact reason why so many bodies were found in the same house has not yet been established.
“Most of the bodies were found on the ground floor, while some were found upstairs. Since there was a mini mart, many people may have gathered there. Some bodies may also have been carried there by the flood,” Regmi said. “It is too early to determine exactly why so many bodies were found in one place.”
Search continues at other houses and along riverbanks
Following the recovery of the 24 bodies, police have intensified searches of other houses in the surrounding area. According to SP Regmi, teams with trained dogs have been deployed to conduct house-to-house searches.
Search operations are also continuing along riverbanks.
The flood that swept through the Bhotekoshi from Rasuwa on August 26 caused major human and material losses across several areas, including Nuwakot. Police said that by Tuesday, more than 1,000 bodies had been recovered, while nearly 4,000 people remained out of contact.
Teams from Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force, and the Nepal Army continue to carry out search and rescue operations for those who remain missing.
