Kimathanka:  Twenty-two individuals remain missing following the devastating flooding that occurred as a result of the swollen Hewakhola river in Sankhuwasabha on Saturday night. Tragically, Santosh Rai, a 26-year-old resident of Panchkhapan-9, lost his life after being swept away by the floodwaters on the night of June 17. The incessant rains in the preceding days triggered the floods and landslides.

According to the District Police Office, 17 workers employed at the under-construction Super Hewakhola Hydropower Project in Chainpur-4 are among the missing, having been swept away by the flood. The missing individuals have been identified as follows: Santosh Dhakal (Sunsari), the Hydropower supervisor, Bhuwan Singh Tamang (Chainpur Municipality), Subas Rai (Sankhuwasabha), Phaij Bahadur Karki (Jhapa), Ganesh Giri (Dhankuta), Raj Kumar Magar (Ilam), Meena Shrestha (Jhapa), Ram Jatan Tharu (Kailali), Rahul Tharu (Bardiya), and Rohit Tharu (Bardiya).

Additionally, the following individuals are also missing as a result of the disaster: Kali Ram Tharu (Bardiya), Rajram Tharu (Bardiya), Sugat Tharu (Kailali), Amar Tharu (Kailali), Sita Tharu (Kailali), and Deepak Magar (Sankhuwasabha). Furthermore, 60-year-old Ganesh Rai and 61-year-old Sanchamaya Rai of Sunamla, Sabhapokhari Rural Municipality-3, were swept away while constructing a cowshed at Sunamla.

In another incident, Bhim Chaudhary from Bardiya Municipality and 50-year-old Gyan Bahadur Limbu from Chainpur Municipality-4 have gone missing in Nundhaki of Chainpur Municipality-1. Limbu is an employee of Upper Hewakhola Hydropower.

Two workers from the Super Hewakhola Hydropower Project sustained serious injuries after being swept away by the flood. They have been identified as 24-year-old Tikaram Chaudhary and 35-year-old Deepak Raj Tharu from Bardiya Municipality-7. They are currently receiving treatment at Helping Hand Hospital in Chainpur.

The flooding occurred when the river, obstructed by a landslide at Chainpur Municipality-4 and Panchkhapan Municipality-9, burst its banks. The subsequent flood resulted in significant loss of life and property