Nepal Bus Tragedy Death Toll Rises to Five; Three Indians Among Victims

Rescuers in Nepal have discovered another body from the recent mudslide incident in Chitwan district, raising the death toll to five. The disaster occurred when two buses were swept into a swollen river, with three of the deceased being Indian nationals.

The fifth body was found at Gaindakot-7 during the search for passengers from the two buses that went missing in the flooded Trishuli River. The incident happened last week on Friday, involving 65 passengers, including seven Indians.

Search Operations Continue

More than 500 security personnel, including members of the Nepal Army and Nepal Police, have been deployed over the past three days to conduct search operations. Despite their efforts, the wreckage of the buses remains undiscovered.

The Armed Police Force (APF) has utilised a water drone to locate the missing buses in the Trishuli River. According to MyRepublica news portal, the high volume of water has complicated the search efforts.

DSP Shailendra Thapa, co-spokesperson of APF, stated: "All possible locations will be searched and we will put all our best efforts into search and rescue."

Details of Victims

The bodies of Prakash Thakur, 30, and Sajad Ansari, 30, were recovered on Sunday. Earlier on Saturday, Rishipal Shah's body was found. Shah was originally from Rajmunuwa area in Bihar's Motihari city but lived and worked in Nepal.

The landslide occurred in Simaltal along the Narayanghat-Mugling road. Three people managed to swim to safety immediately after the incident.

Climate Crisis Impact

Nepal is highly vulnerable to climate change and has experienced numerous extreme weather events over the past decade and a half. Evidence indicates that maximum temperatures in Nepal are rising at 0.056 degrees Celsius annually, faster than the global average increase of 0.03 degrees Celsius per year.

Experts note that extreme weather events such as excessive rainfall in short periods, prolonged rains post-monsoon, dry spells, droughts, below-average precipitation, and above-normal winter temperatures have become more frequent in Nepal.

Chitwan Chief District Officer Indradev Yadav mentioned that a significant number of security personnel have been mobilised for the search operations at Simaltal and along the Narayani River downstream.

The rescue team has so far recovered five bodies during their search operation. Among these victims are two Nepalese nationals and three Indians.

There were seven Indian nationals and 17 Nepalese aboard one bus heading towards Kathmandu from Birgunj. Another bus carried 30 people travelling from Kathmandu to Rautahat.

The APF reported that despite high water levels in the river, search operations are ongoing using drone cameras, sonar cameras, and other equipment.

Nepal's vulnerability to climate change underscores the need for enhanced disaster preparedness and response mechanisms to mitigate such tragedies in future.