These missing individuals were declared dead after they remained out of contact for at least two weeks following three days of incessant rainfall that resulted in massive flooding and landslides and after the families of these missing individuals started performing funeral rites, according to disaster management committees of various VDCs of the district.

At least 34 people have died and 94 have gone missing in the floods and landslides related incidents in the district till now, said District Police Office, Surkhet. The dead were identified by their families and friends.

The families of those who went missing in the floods and landslides related incidents in the district started performing funeral rites after presuming them dead, local Amar Singh Tamata of Galfa, Tatopani.

“As many as 29 people went missing in Tatapani VDC alone. After their families started performing funeral ceremonies for them, we decided to recommend to the District Natural Disaster and Rescue Committee to declare these missing individuals as dead and provide compensation to their families,” said coordinator of disaster management committee and VDC secretary Om Chapai.

Similarly, six people who went missing in a massive flood that struck Tikhakuna of Babiyachaur VDC have also been declared dead, VDC secretary Bhadra Bahadur Thapa said.

Likewise, 24 individuals who went missing after floodwaters from Bheri river entered Hariharpur VDC have also been declared dead, VDC secretary Keshar Bahadur Dangi said.