Scores have gone missing when a boat with around 40 persons was swept away by a flooded Lalbakaiya River at Gaur in Rautahat district.

District police chief SP Kedar Dhakal said 12 persons swam to safety while others are missing in the incident that occurred at around 7 pm. The boat was heading to Tikuliya from Banjara village in the district. It has not been found yet.

Rescue teams have reached the incident site but, police said, rescue works have been hampered by darkness. SP Dhakal said they have sought help from the Indian side after alerting them about the situation.

A team of officials including Chief District Officer (CDO) Govinda Prasad Rijal had reached the site. CDO Rijal said rescue teams with divers are carrying out the rescue works. Security personnel have also been deployed on river banks. Locals have joined security forces in the rescue works.

Water level in the river had increased after two days of rainfall in the district.