Puri, Aug 28: Five people from Odisha are still missing following the devastating floods in Nepal, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said on Friday.

He added that efforts are being made in coordination with the Central government and the Nepal Embassy to trace the missing persons and ensure their safe rescue.

Pujari said the Odisha government is closely monitoring the situation and working with the Centre and the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu to locate those who remain unaccounted for.

“Five people from Odisha are still missing. We are making every possible effort in coordination with the Central government and the Nepal Embassy to rescue them safely,” the minister said.

The state government has also issued helpline numbers to provide information and assistance to families and others seeking updates about those affected by the disaster.

Meanwhile, the death toll from Nepal’s devastating flash floods in the Bhotekoshi River area of Rasuwa has climbed to 538, while 977 people remain missing, according to the latest update from Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).

The figures underline the massive scale of the disaster as authorities continue search, rescue and relief operations across the affected areas following the catastrophic flooding on Wednesday.

Of the 538 bodies recovered so far, the highest number has been reported from Chitwan, where 221 deaths have been recorded, followed by 134 in Nawalparasi East.

Also read: Nepal floods: Death toll reaches 538, 977 still missing