Rukum West, Aug. 13 -- At least 20 people have died in the Sani Bheri and Thuli Bheri rivers in western Rukum over the past three years, with people drowning or being swept away while fishing, collecting firewood, gathering riverbed materials, crossing the rivers or swimming.

According to data from the District Police Office in Rukum West, five people died after being swept away or drowning in the two rivers in the fiscal year 2023-24, six died in 2024-25 and seven in 2025-26.

The rivers have continued to claim lives this year. Dev Oli of Musikot Municipality-10, who was swept away while casting a net to catch fish in the Sani Bheri river, was found dead last Tuesday, four days after he went missing.

Prem Rokaya of Sanibheri Rural Muni...