Some 700 foreign and national tourists have been stranded in Sauraha, Chitwan, after water from flooded Rapti River entered settlements bringing the city to a grinding halt and severely affecting rescue works.

Over 100 hotels in the popular tourist hub are inundated and some tourist vehicles have also been swept away by Rapti River.

Chairman of Regional Hotels Association Suman Ghimire informed possibility of rescuing the stranded tourists was not immediately possible due to continuous rainfall. "We will move them to safer places on elephants but only when the rainfall stops," said Ghimire.

Owner of Hotel Wildlife Shankar Sainju informed tourists from the USA, China, Sri Lanka, India and national tourists are among those stranded.

District police chief SP Dipak Thapa informed personnel from Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force are undertaking rescue efforts in some places. "We have not been able to reach other places and it has affected rescue works," said SP Thapa.

District police office said areas including Ratnanagar, Khairahani, Sauraha, Mangalpur, among others, are inundated due to heavy rainfall.