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At least 20 dead in Nepal flood, 44 missing


    KATHMANDU (Reuters) - Rescuers dug through mud and debris on Monday searching for bodies after a flash flood swept through west Nepal killing at least 20 people and leaving dozens missing, police said.

    A torrent of water swept away scores of houses, vehicles and a bridge near the resort town of Pokhara, about 125 km (80 miles) west of Kathmandu, after an avalanche which had blocked the Seti River gave way.

    Forty-four people, including three Ukranian tourists, were still missing after the flood hit on Saturday, police said.

    Pokhara is the second-biggest city of Nepal after Kathmandu and is the gateway to Mount Annapurna, the world's 10th-highest peak. Tourists begin their trek to the scenic Annapurna region from Pokhara.

    (Reporting by Gopal Sharma; Editing by Jeremy Laurence)