22 Bodies Found Inside Single Flood-Buried House in Betravati

Dragon Media Correspondent

Twenty-two bodies have been found inside a single house buried under mud and debris by the flood in Betravati, Ward No. 10 of Bidur Municipality in Nuwakot.

A security team engaged in search and rescue operations recovered six bodies from the house on Monday. The remaining 16 bodies are expected to be retrieved on Tuesday, according to District Police Office Nuwakot.

The devastating flood that swept down from the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa into the Trishuli River had severely damaged Betravati Bazaar. The bodies were discovered on Monday, six days after the flood, when rescuers searched the house that had been completely buried under thick layers of mud and debris.

Authorities suspect that the victims may have gathered inside the house when the flood struck. The bodies are reportedly in a condition that makes immediate identification extremely difficult.

Superintendent of Police Bipin Regmi of District Police Office Nuwakot confirmed that a large number of bodies had been found inside the buried house in Betravati. He said some of the bodies were recovered on Monday, while the remaining bodies would be retrieved on Tuesday.

Local residents had earlier raised concerns that people might have been trapped inside the house and had called for an immediate search.

Betravati-based journalist Laxman Dangol had also urged authorities to launch a rescue operation at the site. According to Dangol, appeals had been made to officials ranging from the Chief District Officer to the Prime Minister, but timely action was not taken.

The house was finally searched on the sixth day after the disaster, leading to the discovery of 22 bodies in one location.

Security personnel and relevant authorities are now working to recover the remaining bodies, collect evidence and samples required for identification, and complete the necessary legal procedures.