At least 63 individuals were reported missing in Nepal on Friday following a landslide caused by intense monsoon rains, which swept two buses off a highway and into a river, according to authorities.
Search and rescue teams were actively searching for survivors in a remote area of Chitwan district. District official Khimananda Bhusal informed AFP that the buses were carrying at least 66 people, but three passengers managed to escape and are now receiving treatment in a hospital.
Bhusal noted that the exact number of passengers is uncertain, as the buses might have picked up additional travelers. The river has swelled, and no further individuals have been located yet.
Survivors are reported to be out of danger, with one already discharged from the hospital. One survivor, Jugeshwor Ray Yadav, recounted from his hospital bed that his family members were on one of the buses and are now missing.
The landslide's force pushed the buses over barriers and down a steep embankment into the river, approximately 30 meters from the road. Search and rescue teams on rafts were challenged by the strong currents and muddy waters.
Despite hours of searching, no traces of the vehicles or their occupants have been found. Police spokesman Kumar Neupane acknowledged the difficulties faced by the rescue teams due to the river's strong flow.
The accident occurred before dawn on the Narayanghat-Mugling highway, about 100 kilometers west of Kathmandu. One bus was traveling from Kathmandu to Gaur, and the other from Birgunj to Kathmandu. A separate accident on the same road resulted in a driver's death after a boulder struck his bus.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed deep sorrow over the incident and directed government agencies to intensify the search and rescue efforts.
Fatal accidents are frequent in Nepal due to poor road conditions, inadequate vehicle maintenance, and reckless driving. Government data shows nearly 2,400 road fatalities in the past year. The monsoon season exacerbates these dangers, with unpredictable rainfall leading to landslides and floods.
Monsoon rains, vital for water replenishment, also cause significant damage and loss of life across South Asia. Climate change is making the monsoon more intense and unpredictable, leading to increased incidents of floods, landslides, and lightning strikes.
