Kathmandu: In the aftermath of a devastating landslide that struck Gaurikunda in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand State, India, a determined search operation has been launched to locate the missing individuals. The tragedy, which occurred four days ago, resulted in the destruction of three hotels owned by Nepalis in the region.

Indian authorities, in collaboration with the Nepal Police, have intensified their efforts to find the missing victims. So far, three bodies, all belonging to males, have been recovered from the debris. The deceased have been identified as Tek Bahadur Kami, Prakash Kami, and Devi Kami, hailing from Manma, Kalikot district.

According to the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi, 11 Nepali nationals remain unaccounted for in the disaster, with an additional two individuals suspected to be missing. The Indian security forces have employed highly trained sniffer dogs in the ongoing search operations since Sunday.

As the rescue efforts continue, the Embassy is closely coordinating with Indian authorities to provide necessary support. However, the rescue teams are facing challenges due to heavy rainfall and rising water levels in the Mandakini River.

Uma Prasad Chaturvedi, Senior Superintendent of the Nepal Police Embassy, stated that Nepal's Minister for Foreign Affairs, NP Saud, has already communicated with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and other officials, urging them to expedite the rescue operations.

The affected area has been home to a considerable number of Nepali individuals, who have been residing there for an extended period, working as horse ride operators, hoteliers, and laborers. All those who are currently missing are from Jumla, as confirmed by the Embassy.

The joint efforts of both Indian and Nepali authorities, along with the deployment of sniffer dogs, offer hope for the safe recovery of the missing individuals amidst the challenging conditions posed by the continuous rainfall and river water levels. The search operation remains ongoing as the region prays for a positive outcome.