At least 555 people, who were stranded in various parts of Koshi Province affected by floods and landslides following incessant rainfall, have been rescued safely.

According to SSP Deepak Pokharel, spokesperson at the Koshi Province Police Office, Biratnagar, they were rescued with the joint efforts of the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police personnel and local volunteers.

Among them, Nepal Army rescued 23 people from highly risky areas through choppers while the remaining 532 people were taken to safer places via land routes.

Police said that 16 people were rescued from Jhapa Rural Municipality and are being kept in a safer place.

Similarly, three injured persons were rescued from Mangsebung Rural Municipality-1 in Ilam and have been taken to the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan for treatment.

Likewise, four injured people were rescued from Sandakpur Rural Municipality-4 Mabu in Ilam and have been sent to B&C Hospital in Jhapa for treatment, said SSP Pokharel.

So far, 44 people have been confirmed dead in various districts of Koshi Province due to floods and landslides.

As many as 37 people lost their lives in Ilam alone.