Rescuer workers on Sunday recovered two bodies of the people who went missing after the swollen Lalbakaiya River swept away a boat at Tikuliyaghat in Gaur Municipallity-4 of Rautahat district on Saturday evening. Five people are still unaccounted for.

According to the police, the bodies of Runa Devi Patel, 35, of Auraiya and Shanti Devi of Tikuliya, Gaur Municipallity-4 were found at Jamuwa Ghat of Shivghar District in India.

Twenty-four people, including five women, swam ashore safely and have come in contact with the local administration.

Chief District Officer Govinda Prasad Rijal said the search was underway to locate the five missing people and the Indian Seema Suraksha Bal (SSB) is also assisting in the search the operation. 

The boat was returning to Tikuliyaghat from Banjaraha. The Lalbakaiya river is swollen beyond the danger mark following torrential rains in the area for the past two days.