Avalanches in Nepal force suspension of search for bodies

Kathmandu, June 17: Avalanches in Nepal's northern mountains have injured five army rescuers and forced the suspension of a search for bodies in a trekking village that was buried by a landslide during April's devastating earthquake, officials said .

The avalanches swept the Langtang Valley on Monday. Police official Pravin Pokhrel said Tuesday that it was still too dangerous for rescuers to go back to the area, where about 105 people are believed to be buried under the rubble from the quake-induced landslide.

Five soldiers who were injured in the latest avalanches have been brought to a nearby town for treatment, Pokhrel said.

The entire village was buried by the landslide in April. The village is located in the scenic Langtang Valley, which is popular with tourists.

Search for bodies had resumed after the weather improved

Rescue work following the landslide has been slow because the area, about 60 kilometers (35 miles) north of Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, is at least a day's hike from the nearest town and much of the trail was damaged by the mudslide.

The search for bodies had resumed after the weather improved following the quake, but the monsoon season that began this month has brought rainfall.

Landslides are common in mountainous Nepal during the rainy season, which began in June and ends in September.

Last week, a landslide buried six villages in northeastern Nepal, killing at least 35 people. Strong earthquakes April 25 and May 12 killed nearly 8,800 people in Nepal.

PTI