RASUWA: The flood in Bhotekoshi has caused massive damage to both private and public property in the district.

The District Administration Office has released an initial report on the damage caused by the flood that hit the district on August 26.

Assistant Chief District Officer Dhruba Prasad Adhikari said the flood destroyed 28 government and public buildings, eight community and three private schools, 14 banks and financial institution offices, one petrol station and 1,500 private houses.

The flood has swept away 41 kilometers of road, six concrete bridges, eight Bailey bridges, and 10 suspension bridges in the district.

Eight hydropower projects built on the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river banks, and Langtang stream have been completely damaged by the flood.

The flood has damaged 111 MW Rasuwagadhi, 120 MW Bhotekoshi, 20 MW Chilime, 20 MW Langtang Khola, 216 MW Upper Trishuli-1, five MW Mailung Khola, 60 MW Upper Trishuli-3 ‘A’, and 37.3 MW Trishuli 3 ‘B’.

Search and rescue continues

Search and rescue are ongoing for those trapped in tunnels of various hydropower projects due to the flood. The Nepali Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police are carrying out the rescue operations.

The District Disaster Management Committee said that experts from South Korea, India, and China have also been deployed to the affected areas for additional help in the search and rescue.

So far, 1,365 residents of Rasuwa, 1,160 people from other districts, and 264 tourists have lost contact due to the flood.

Similarly, the assistant chief district officer said that 26 employees from banks and financial institutions, 79 government employees, 13 Armed Police Force personnel, 28 Nepal Police officers, and 27 Nepali Army members are missing.

According to him, relief is being distributed via helicopter to make it easier to supply food to the residents of the affected area.