Kathamandu, July 12: A landslide on the Madan-Ashrit Highway in Central Nepal swept two buses carrying approximately 63 passengers into the Trishuli River on Friday. The search and rescue operation is being hindered by the swollen river, sources and officials on-site reported.
Indradev Yadav, Chief District Officer of Chitwan, stated, “Preliminary information indicates that both buses were carrying a total of 63 people, including the drivers. The landslide swept the buses at around 3:30 am. We are at the incident site, and a search operation is underway. Incessant rain is hampering our efforts to search for the missing buses.”
The Kathmandu-bound Angel bus and Ganpati Deluxe, heading from Kathmandu to Gaur in Rautahat, were swept away. Preliminary reports suggest 24 people were on the bus heading to Kathmandu, and 41 people were on the other bus.
Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed his sorrow on X, stating, “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. I direct all government agencies, including the home administration, to search for and effectively rescue the passengers.”
All flights from Kathmandu to Bharatpur in Chitwan have been cancelled due to grim weather conditions.
Three passengers on the Ganpati Deluxe managed to escape by jumping out of the vehicle. Superintendent of Police Bhawesh Rimal informed that Nepal Police and Armed Police Force personnel are heading to the incident sites for rescue operations. Debris from landslides has obstructed traffic on the Narayanghat-Mugling road section.
