A massive landslide swept two buses carrying 65 passengers into the raging Trishuli River in Nepal. The incident took place on the Madan-Ashrit Highway in Nepal’s Chitwan district.
The incident, occurring around 3:30 am amidst heavy rainfall, has prompted a massive search and rescue operation amid challenging weather conditions. News agency Newsx reported.
Chief District Officer of Chitwan Indradev Yadav has said that rescue work is underway, and the landslide debris is being cleared. The police and Armed Forces have also been roped in for the rescue operations.
Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' told that he has issued directives for immediate search and rescue operations.
'I am deeply saddened by the loss of nearly five dozen passengers and the loss of property due to floods and landslides in different parts of the country when a bus was washed away by a landslide on the Narayangadh-Muglin road section. I direct all agencies of the government, including the home administration, to search and effectively rescue the passengers,' Prachanda stated on X.
Meanwhile, all flights from Kathmandu to Bharatpur have been cancelled due to bad weather conditions. The administration has also issued a warning for travel by road. At least 62 people have already lost their lives in Nepal due to incessant rains and floods in the past few weeks. Ninety people were injured. Besides, more than 1,000 families have been displaced.
