Rasuwa: At least 18 people, including Nepali and Chinese nationals, have gone missing in the flood-fed Lhende rivulet in Rasuwa along the Nepal-China border this morning.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Assistant Spokesperson of the Armed Police Force, Shailendra Thapa, informed that among the missing are nine Nepali citizens, including workers from the Customs yard at the Rasuwagadhi border point, three police personnel serving at the Timure Area Police Office, and six Chinese nationals.
The devastating flood has also swept away the Miteri (Friendship) Bridge, which serves as a crucial link between Nepal and China. The identities of the missing police personnel have been disclosed as Lal Bahadur Shrestha, a 42-year-old Assistant Inspector of Police from Likhutamakoshi Gaipa-4 in Ramechhap; Munna Thakur, a 24-year-old police constable from Feta Gaipa-1 in Bara; and Lokendra Bohora, a 23-year-old police constable from Bungdal Municipality-9 in Bajhang.
The identities of the six missing Chinese nationals have yet to be established, adding to the distress of the unfolding situation. Among the other missing individuals are Jipen Chaudhary, 36; Santosh Dait, 25; Buddhi Ram Tharu, 25; Lakshmi Narayan Tharu, 24; and Suresh Tharu, 30, all from Bardiya. Additionally, Narendra Bik from Baglung, container driver Purwa Lama from Sindhupalchok, and Hilux pick-up driver Govinda Moktan and Lokman Tamang are also unaccounted for following the flood.