Update: Rautahat boat capsize: 2 dead,21 rescued, 3 missing (photo feature)

Published On: August 26, 2018 07:02 AM NPT By: Madan Thakur

UPDATE
RAUTAHAT, Aug 26: Two of the five missing have been found dead on Sunday. The deceased have been identifyed as Runa Devi-35 of Auroiya, Ishnath Municipality and Shanti Devi-50 of Gaur Municipality. Rescue operation to find the missing is ongoing.

The dead bodies were found 8 kilometres south to the Parariya Ghat of India, informed Govinda Rijal, Chief District Officer of Rautahat.

Omprakash Chandrabanshi,Indu Devi-40 of Gaur Municipality-4, and Ushma Kumari Patel -10 of Ishnath Municipality is still missing in boat capsize.

RATUTAHAT, Aug 26: Total 21 people were rescued whereas, five are still missing after a boat capsized in the swollen Lalbakaiya River in Rautahat, Saturday evening. Searching operation of those missing has been intensified with the help of security personnel and locals, informed local administration.

Mahendra Sahani, who was rescued, said there were altogether 26 on board. Omprakash Chandrabanshi, Indu Devi-40 and Shanti Devi-50 of Gaur Municipality-4, and Runa Devi-35 and Ushama Kumari Patel-10 of Ishnath Municipality.

A rescue team comprising security personnel from Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force and the Nepal Army are deployed at the incident site.

According to the boatman, Pappu Singh, some others might have crossed the river to the Indian side. They have also requested Indian police in Guwabari, the bordering town, to help them trace those still out of contact.

The boat capsized at around 7:30 pm on Saturday.

According to Chief District Officer Govinda Rijal, some people saved themselves by swimming ashore.

The incident took place after the water level in the flooded Lalbakaiya River increased suddenly as the boat was heading from Ishnath Municipality area toward Tikuliya in the district headquarters Gaur. Those on board were said to be farmers including men, women and children returning home after collecting grass in their fields.