Although the names of those who died could not be independently verified till late on Saturday, the news of the deceased was confirmed by a group member who was traveling with them.
"Four of our friends were swept away by the floods early," Oberaj Pathak, who hails from Bhairawaha, told Republica over the phone.
Confirming the deaths, Pathak said in a panicking state, "Our friends were swept away right in front of our eyes. We walked for six days to reach Rishikesh today [Saturday]."
Pathak informed that of the deceased, two are from Rupendehi, one from Nawalparasi district and one hailed from Chauriha of Taulihawa.
Pathak was amongt the 48 people who reached safely to Rishikesh on Saturday after a six-day trek from Gangotri via Joshimath.
"I think many more Nepalis have lost their lives. There were thousands of Nepali pilgrims there," Pathak stated, adding "The number of deaths can rise significantly."
Meanwhile, the Nepali embassy in New Delhi has confirmed that 103 Nepali nationals were rescued on Saturday.
"Two groups safely arrived at Rishikesh today," Yadulal Kharel, a counselor at the embassy who is currently in Rishikesh told Republica.
The Nepal embassy sent a two-member delegation to Uttarakhand on Friday to get first hand information of the situation of the Nepalis who could be in danger there.
The two groups that were rescued Saturday consisted of 48 and 55 people respectively. The figure was verified by the Nepal embassy.
The embassy delegation has met with the Uttarakhand emergency relief team and passed on preliminary information on the missing Nepalis to the Uttarakhand state authorities.
A press release issued by the Nepal embassy Saturday said the embassy officials have visited various rescue sites including the Joligrant airport, to get ground information about the missing Nepalis.
The release also said that more Nepalis are arriving in Rishikesh and Haridwar since yesterday. While 43 Nepalis headed home on Saturday, some 15 people are set to leave for Nepal by train on Sunday.
Some 556 people are reported dead in Uttarakhand due to heavy rainfall, cloudburst and landslides by the time this report was filed.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has said that at least 1,000 people are feared dead while thousands are still stranded.
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