Landslide in Nepal; two buses swept away, 63 including at least six Indians missing

KATHMANDU: Two passenger buses are suspected to have been swept away by the landslide in Nepal. The incident happened early Friday morning on the Madan Ashrit highway in central Nepal. Reports said there were more than 60 people in both the buses and at least six of them are Indians.

Authorities said the bus went missing in the Trishuli river at Simaltal area and hence the search and rescue operations are being hampered. The preliminary information is that there were 63 people in two buses including the drivers. The buses were swept away around 3:30 am. Rescuers are at the scene and a search is underway. Chitwan Chief District Officer Indradev Yadav responded that the rain is a challenge for the rescue operations.

Officials said the Angel bus was going to Kathmandu and the Ganpati Deluxe was going from Kathmandu to Gaur in Rautahut. The initial report of the authorities is that 24 people were traveling in the bus going to Kathmandu and 41 people were in the other bus. Three passengers of Ganapathi Deluxe managed to escape by jumping out of the vehicle.

Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has confirmed that so many people are missing in the landslide. Prime Minister on his X handle said that he is deeply saddened by the incident and instructed the authorities to engage in rescue operations. All flights from Kathmandu to Bharatpur in Chitwan have been cancelled due to the bad weather.