600 tourists trapped in Sauraha due to flooding

Chitwan - Approximately 600 tourists stranded due to flooding in Sauraha in the district are awaiting rescue operation, authorities said. 

Swollen Rapti and Budhirapti rivers have inundated many hotels in the tourist destination, and efforts were on to move the trapped tourists staying in the flooded hotels onto the upper floors, with the help of tamed elephants, said Chairman of the Regional Hotel Association, Sauraha Suman Ghimire. 

He said Chief District Officer and the Nepal Tourism Board have been informed of the situation and asked for rescue operation. Managing Director of Hotel Seven Star Madhav Duwadi said Home Ministry has also been requested for help. 

The trapped tourists include 200 Nepalis, 200 Indian and another 200 from various countries. 

Chief District Officer Narayan Prasad Bhatta said efforts were on to shift the trapped tourists to safer place by rafting. Four rubber rafts have been sought from Devghat for the rescue operation, he added.