Nepal Landslide: 63 Passengers Missing As Buses Plunge Into Trishuli River, Nepal PM Prachanda Condoles

Two buses carrying 63 people were swept into the Trishuli River by a landslide on the Madan-Ashrit Highway in Nepal, early this morning.

The incident, which involved the Kathmandu-bound Angel bus and the Ganpati Deluxe bus, occurred around 3:30 am amid heavy rainfall in the region.

Nepal Landslide: 63 Passengers Missing

It was confirmed by Indradev Yadav, the Chief District Officer of Chitwan, that the buses were travelling along the highway when the landslide struck, pushing them off the road and into the raging river below.

"As per the preliminary information, a total of 63 people, including the bus drivers, were being carried by both buses. At around 3:30 am, the buses were swept away by the landslide. The incident site is currently being attended to, and a search operation is underway. Efforts to search for the missing buses are being hampered by incessant rain," Yadav confirmed to ANI.

A directive was issued by Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' for all government agencies to search and rescue the passengers.

"I am deeply saddened by the reports of about five dozen passengers missing after the buses were washed away by a landslide on the Narayangadh-Muglin road section and the loss of properties due to floods and landslides in different parts of the country. All agencies of the government, including the home administration, are directed to search and effectively rescue the passengers," Dahal posted on X.

Meanwhile, it was reported by ANI that all flights from Kathmandu to Bharatpur have been cancelled for the day as the weather remains inclement.

Since the onset of the monsoon season, it was informed by home ministry officials last week that at least 62 people have been killed and 90 others have sustained injuries in rain-related incidents in Nepal. While 34 people were killed by landslides, 28 succumbed to floods resulting from incessant rains.

Seven individuals have been reported missing due to these natural calamities. Substantial property damage has been caused by the heavy rains, with at least 121 houses inundated and 82 others damaged. A total of 1,058 households have been displaced across the country by these natural disasters.