Indian Rescue Team Assists in Nepal's Search for Missing After Landslide

A 12-member Indian rescue team arrived in Nepal on Saturday to search for missing passengers, including seven Indians, and two buses lost in a swollen river last week. The team responded to a request from Nepali authorities after a landslide on July 12 caused the buses to be swept into the Trishuli River.

Search Operation Initiated

Upon arrival, the Indian team was briefed at the Disaster Management Training School of the Armed Police Force in Kurintar. They then proceeded to Simaltal, about 23 kilometres from Narayanghat, to begin their search operation. Chitwan’s Chief District Officer Indradev Yadav confirmed this information.

The buses were carrying 65 passengers when they were swept away along the Narayanghat-Muglin road section. So far, 19 bodies have been recovered. Three passengers managed to escape and swim to safety. Rescue efforts have been ongoing since the incident, involving teams from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force.

Deployment of Advanced Equipment

The Indian team includes 12 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), trained in rescue operations. They brought essential equipment such as three sonar cameras and four divers for a seven-day mission. High-quality sonar cameras, powerful magnets, and water drones have also been used to aid the rescue efforts.

Of the 62 passengers swept away with the buses, 24 bodies have been found in various locations in Nepal and India. However, only 15 of these bodies have been confirmed as passengers from the missing buses. Sources reported that at least four of the recovered bodies were Indian nationals.

Challenges Faced by Rescuers

Nepal's rivers are typically fast-flowing due to the mountainous terrain. Recent heavy monsoon rains have swollen these waterways and turned them murky brown, complicating visibility and rescue efforts. The monsoon season in Nepal lasts from June to September and often triggers landslides in this Himalayan region.

The bodies from the two buses were carried as far as 100 kilometres down the Trishuli River. A task force formed by Nepal's Home Ministry is investigating the incident, according to ministry officials.

The search continues under challenging conditions, with rescuers determined to find all missing passengers despite the difficulties posed by the swollen river and murky waters.