63 Missing After Landslide Sweeps Buses Into Trishuli River In Nepal; Kathmandu-Bharatpur Flights Cancelled

Early this morning, a landslide on the Madan-Ashrit Highway in Nepal swept two buses, carrying a total of 63 people, into the Trishuli River. The incident occurred at approximately 3:30 am, involving the Kathmandu-bound Angel bus and the Ganpati Deluxe, amid heavy rainfall in the region.

Indradev Yadav, the Chief District Officer of Chitwan, informed ANI that the landslide pushed the buses off the road and into the river below. “As per preliminary information, both buses were carrying 63 people, including the drivers. The landslide struck around 3:30 am. We are on-site, but incessant rain is hampering our search for the missing buses,” Yadav said.

Nepal’s Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ has directed all government agencies to prioritize the search and rescue operations. “I am deeply saddened by the reports of about five dozen passengers missing after the buses were washed away by a landslide on the Narayangadh-Muglin road section, and the loss of properties due to floods and landslides in different parts of the country. I direct all government agencies, including the home administration, to search and effectively rescue the passengers,” Dahal posted on X.

आषाढ २८ गते चितवन जिल्ला, भरतपुर-२९ नारायणगढ-मुग्लिन सडक खण्डको सिमलतालमा यात्रु बाहक बसहरू पहिरोमा परेको खबर प्राप्त हुनसाथ चितवनस्थित नेपाली सेनाका गोताखोर सहित फौज खटिई अन्य सुरक्षा निकाय लगायत स्थानीयको सहयोगमा उद्धार कार्य जारी राखेको छ ।#NepaliArmy #NAinSearchNRescueOps pic.twitter.com/85jXUcsksm

— Nepali Army (@NepaliArmyHQ) July 12, 2024

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The Nepali Army has shared a video of the ongoing search and rescue efforts. Additionally, all flights from Kathmandu to Bharatpur have been cancelled due to the inclement weather, ANI reported.

Since the onset of the monsoon season, at least 62 people have died and 90 others have been injured in rain-related incidents across Nepal, according to home ministry officials. Of these casualties, 34 were caused by landslides, while 28 resulted from floods. Seven individuals remain missing. The heavy rains have also caused significant property damage, with 121 houses inundated and 82 damaged. Overall, the natural disasters have displaced 1,058 households throughout the country.