Bhotekoshi flood: 384 tourists lose contact in Rasuwa

Rasuwa: As many as 384 tourists have lost contact following the floods in the Bhotekoshi River area of Rasuwa on Wednesday morning.

According to the Nepal Tourism Board, 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali tourists who had travelled to Gosainkunda and Kailash Mansarovar through various travel and trekking companies are currently unaccounted for.

Hikmat Singh Air, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board, said the board has received information that 384 tourists have lost contact amid the floods.

The Tourism Board said tourism police, the local administration and security agencies have been mobilised to assess the situation and locate tourists in the flood-affected areas.

According to the board, 71 tourists were travelling through Samrat Tours and Travel, 17 through Kathmandu Holiday Tours and Travel, 55 through Leaf Holiday, 31 through Kailash Journey, seven through Explore Vacation and 92 through Trekker Society.

Similarly, 12 tourists were travelling through Richa Tours and Travel, 27 through Fishtail Tours and Travel, 52 through Himalayan Glacier and 20 through Alpine Eco Trek.

The floods have caused extensive damage in the Timure and Syafrubesi areas, affecting settlements, police posts and customs offices. Roads and bridges connecting the Rasuwagadhi border crossing have also been damaged.

The Nepal Tourism Board has urged people seeking information or assistance to contact its toll-free number 1234, hotline 1144, or Tourism Police at 9851289445.