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Landslide in Nepal Sweeps Buses into River, 63 Missing
Tragic landslide in Nepal leaves 63 missing after buses are swept away by heavy monsoon rains. Rescue efforts underway.
ND
by News Desk
2024-07-12
Landslide in Nepal Sweeps Buses into River, 63 Missing

A devastating landslide triggered by heavy monsoon rains swept two buses off a highway and into the Trishuli river in Nepal's central district of Chitwan, leaving at least 63 people missing, authorities reported on Friday.

 

According to district official Khimananda Bhusal, the buses were carrying a total of 66 passengers, of which three managed to escape before the vehicles plunged into the swollen river. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, but no additional survivors have been found so far.

 

The accident occurred early Friday at around 3:30am local time along the Narayanghat-Mugling highway, approximately 100 kilometers west of Kathmandu. One bus was traveling from Kathmandu to Gaur in Rautahat district, while the other was en route to Kathmandu from Birgunj in southern Nepal.

 

Tragically, another fatality occurred on the same road when a bus driver succumbed to injuries after a boulder struck his vehicle.

 

Expressing sorrow over the incident, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal took to social media to direct government agencies to intensify search and rescue efforts.

 

Deadly accidents are all too frequent in Nepal due to poorly maintained roads, substandard vehicles, and reckless driving practices. Government statistics indicate that nearly 2,400 lives were lost on Nepalese roads in the past year alone.

 

The Himalayan nation faces heightened risks during the monsoon season, which spans from June to September, due to landslides and floods exacerbated by heavy rains. This year, monsoon-related incidents have already claimed 88 lives across Nepal, highlighting the severe challenges posed by natural disasters in the region.
Tagged:

NaturalDisaster

SearchAndRescue

NepalLandslide

MonsoonTragedy
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