Kathmandu, May 6 Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai Sunday inspected the areas affected by Saturday’s massive flash floods on Seti River in Kaski district.

The devastating flood was unleashed after bursting of the river that was blocked by an avalanche from the Annapurna mountainous range.

Prime Minister Dr. Bhattarai was accompanied by Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar, Maoist Politburo member Hisila Yami, chief government secretary Madhav Prasad Ghimire and secretary of Home Ministry Sushil Jung Rana.

During the inspection of the flood ravaged areas, the Prime Minister met and held talks with the family members of the victims.

Prime Minister Bhattarai directed the local administration to carry out search and rescue operation without any delay.

Talking with the flood affected people, the Prime Minister announced immediate financial assistance of Rs. 25,000 as expense to conduct final rites. He assured that the family of the deceased each will get Rs. 100,000 as a relief help from the Prime Minister’s Rescue Relief Fund.

The Prime Minister also announced assistance of 25,000 rupees to arrange shelters and food for those who lost their homes in the disaster.

Dr Bhattarai said that the government would cover all medical expenditures of those injured in the floods and the victims will also be arranged rehabilitation.

The Prime Minister directed the concerned agencies to give first priority to those who may still be rescued alive. He directed to arrange 20 exvators to look for the missing people.

"The government would take immediate steps for the reconstruction of the infrastructure destroyed in the flood like drinking water and bridges," the Prime Minister said. He said that the government would leave no stone unturned for rescue and reconstruction.

Prime Minister Dr. Bhattarai also sought the help of the private sector in the relief and rescue of the flood-affected people.

Terming the disaster unimaginable, the Prime Minister said that the government would investigate the reasons of the sudden flood.

Dr Bhattarai said that disaster risks are increasing in the mountain areas in the face of climate change. There is a need to set up early warning system so that potential risks may be minimised.

Earlier, western regional division commander of Nepal Army Victor Jung Bahadur Rana had briefed the Prime Minister about the scale and damage of the disaster and progress of search and rescue works.

The death toll rose to 17 Sunday. However, only 12 bodies were identified so far.

Police said they were finding it difficult to identify the body as they recovered only hands and legs of the bodies.

According to police, 47 persons were still missing in the flood.

Relatives of those who went missing were seen visiting the police offices and hospitals to find their bodies.