Kathmandu, May 5 (IANS) At least 13 people died and dozens of others, including three Russians, went missing after an avalanche in Nepal’s Annapurna range triggered a massive flood in the Seti river Saturday, the army said.
The flood caused massive destruction to human settlements around the area in Kaski district. With Saturday being a holiday in the country, many people were enjoying their leisure time when the flood created havoc.
Nepal Army spokesperson Ramindra Chhetri confirmed the deaths, saying the bodies of three foreign nationals have also been found. But they were still to be identified, Xinhua reported.
The toll is feared to rise.
People are terrorised as the flood is moving towards Pokhara, Nepal’s second largest city located about 200 km from capital Kathmandu, Deputy Inspector General of Police Rajendra Bhandaree said.
Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has directed all rescue agencies in the country to promptly launch relief operations.
Rescue operations were underway in the region, evacuating people from places that have more threats of flood while the injured were receiving treatment in Manipal hospital in Pokhara city.
