KATHMANDU: The search and rescue operations for those missing in the floods in the Melamchi river of Sindhupalchowk district are underway.

Scores have gone missing in the floods of Melamchi and Indrawati rivers that occurred on Tuesday night. There have been diverse reports on the missing people arriving from the incident site.

Health Minister Sher Bahadur Tamang, who is elected to the House of Representatives (HoR) from Sindhupalchowk itself, has informed that over 50 people have gone missing.

The local administration has not yet pinpointed the exact figure of the missing and has said that the details are being collected.

A rescue team of Nepal Army (NA) and police has reached the flood-hit Melamchi area of Sindhupalchowk in a helicopter.

The helicopter boarded by security officials have reached the flood-hit Melamchi, informed Sindhupalchowk’s CDO Arun Pokharel.

According to Pokharel, 250 people including Nepal Police, Nepal Army, Armed Police Force from the district headquarters Chautara and and Dhulikhel of Kavre have reached the flood-hit area for rescue operations.

Seven people have died in the floods induced by incessant rains in Helambu rural municipality.

“Seven people have died in Helambu,” said CDO Pokharel, adding, “Their identities are yet to be ascertained.”

Facilities including houses and bridges have been washed away by the floods in Helambu. The rescue operations have been hit due to increasing level in the rivers, said Pokharel.