Daijiworld Media Network - Kathmandu

Kathmandu, Aug 26: The death toll from a massive flash flood in Nepal's Bhote Koshi River rose to 95 by Wednesday evening, with widespread loss of life and extensive damage to infrastructure reported across the affected areas, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.

The bodies were recovered from flood-hit areas by 7 pm, while authorities were still working to identify the victims.

The massive flood originated in the Tibetan region of China and swept through the transboundary Bhote Koshi River, causing widespread destruction in Nepal.

According to the Nepali government, 44 Nepal Army personnel, 28 police personnel and 13 Armed Police Force (APF) personnel deployed at various locations in the affected areas remained unaccounted for.

The PMO said 391 foreign tourists and 93 Nepali tourists were also out of contact following the disaster.

In addition, 60 employees working at hydropower projects in the affected areas were reported missing. Some employees of the Rasuwagadhi Customs Office and Immigration Office were also among those unaccounted for.

The flood, which struck the Bhote Koshi River in the morning, caused extensive damage to transport infrastructure. At least 19 motorable bridges and 40 km of paved roads have been damaged, according to the government.

Authorities are continuing to gather information on the extent of human and material losses caused by the disaster.

The PMO said security agencies and other concerned bodies were immediately mobilised for search, rescue and relief operations following the flooding.

At around 9 am, authorities placed areas along the riverbanks on high alert and urged residents to move to safer locations and avoid approaching the river.

The disaster has caused significant damage in the Nepal-China border region, particularly in Rasuwa, where several government offices, security installations, hydropower facilities and other infrastructure have been affected, the PMO said.