Seventy-two people have been confirmed dead, and dozens remain missing after a flash flood swept through Rasuwa and neighbouring districts on Wednesday, disrupting communications and hampering rescue efforts.

According to the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), 72 bodies had been recovered across seven districts by Wednesday evening. One body was recovered in Rasuwa, 11 in Nuwakot, 18 in Dhading, 28 in Chitwan, nine in Gorkha, four in Tanahu and one in Nawalparasi East, according to the authority.

Thirty-two security personnel from the Nepal Police and Armed Police Force are also missing in Timure, Rasuwa. Search and rescue teams have been deployed across the affected areas.

Sixty people associated with the 20MW Langtang Khola Hydropower Project are out of contact, according to project promoter Bijay Mohan Bhattarai.

Twenty-five engineers, drivers and kitchen staff, along with 35 workers inside a tunnel, have been out of contact since Wednesday morning, Bhattarai said.

“There were 25 people, including engineers, drivers and kitchen staff, and another 35 were working inside the tunnel. We have not been able to contact them since morning,” he said.

The hydropower project had completed construction and was scheduled to begin testing in two days, Bhattarai said.

Fifteen employees of the Rasuwa Customs Office in Timure are also missing, according to Rajendra Dhungana, chief of the customs office.

The Bhotekoshi flood has also swept away branches of nine commercial banks, with around 26 employees still out of contact, according to the Nepal Bankers’ Association.