New Delhi: A devastating landslide on Friday morning swept two buses carrying approximately 63 passengers into the Trishuli River along the Narayangadh-Muglin road of the Madan-Ashrit Highway. The tragic incident, triggered by heavy rains, occurred around 3:30 am local time. Authorities have launched a search and rescue operation to locate the missing passengers amidst challenging conditions exacerbated by continuous rainfall in the region.A landslide swept two buses carrying an estimated 63 passengers, on Madan-Ashrit Highway in Central Nepal into the Trishuli River, this morning.(Source: Road Division Office, Bharatpur, Nepal) https://t.co/1LZ1qYcXcQ pic.twitter.com/1xSFDB5uZY— ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2024Buses carrying 63 peopleAs per preliminary information, both buses were carrying a total of 63 people including the drivers. The landslide occurred at around 3:30 am. We are currently at the scene and conducting a search operation. However, incessant rain is impeding our efforts to locate the missing buses, stated Indradev Yadav, Chief District Officer of Chitwan. Nepals PM expresses sorrow over the incidentNepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has instructed all government agencies, including the home administration, to prioritize the search and rescue efforts for the missing passengers. Expressing sorrow over the incident, Prime Minister Dahal conveyed his condolences in a statement, I am deeply saddened by reports of around five dozen passengers missing after a bus was washed away by a landslide on the Narayangadh-Muglin road section, and by the loss of property due to floods and landslides in different parts of the country. Meanwhile, due to the adverse weather conditions, all flights from Kathmandu to Bharatpur in Chitwan district have been cancelled for the day.Nepal experiencing heavy rainfall Nepal has been experiencing heavy rainfall since last week, prompting disaster authorities to issue warnings of flash floods in various rivers. Reports of flooding and landslides have been coming in from several lowland districts bordering India. Just last month, Nepal witnessed severe storms that resulted in landslides, lightning strikes, and flooding, claiming the lives of approximately 14 people.
