Police hunt for flood-lost bank vaults as Nepal’s rescue effort intensifies

In the wake of flash floods across Nepal, authorities are juggling the search for hundreds of missing residents with the task of retrieving bank vaults that were displaced by the surge. Officials said vaults from at least 20 financial institutions in areas like Rasuwa, Dhading, Chitwan and others have either been washed downstream or buried in silt, prompting concerns over potential looting. Police have already secured a vault from the Agricultural Development Bank’s Dhunge branch in Trishuli, which held cash and gold valued at several crore rupees, after an eight-hour operation.

Another vault from Krishi Vikas Bank in Nuwakot was recovered, and law enforcement detained 29 individuals accused of stealing roughly one outlet 92 lakh from a vault in Upper Rasuwa. DIG Abi Narayan Kafle emphasized that while rescuing missing persons remains the top priority, maintaining order and protecting the recovered assets are also critical. The police have deployed 7,894 personnel to support ongoing rescue and security efforts.