A significant landslide in Central Nepal early Friday morning swept away two buses carrying approximately 63 passengers into the Trishuli River. Triggered by continuous rainfall, the landslide occurred on the Narayangadh-Muglin road of the Madan-Ashrit Highway at around 3:30 am.

Authorities have initiated a search operation to locate the missing passengers, although efforts are being hindered by ongoing heavy rain in the area.

Indradev Yadav, Chief District Officer of Chitwan, informed news agency ANI, “Preliminary information suggests both buses were carrying a total of 63 people, including drivers. The landslide occurred at approximately 3:30 am. We are on site conducting a search operation. However, relentless rainfall is impeding our search efforts.”

Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has instructed all government agencies, including local administrations, to prioritize the rescue and retrieval of the missing passengers. Expressing sorrow over the incident, Dahal stated, “I am deeply saddened by reports of around five dozen passengers missing due to a bus being swept away by a landslide on the Narayangadh-Muglin road section, and the destruction caused by floods and landslides in various parts of the country.”

In response to the inclement weather, all flights from Kathmandu to Bharatpur in Chitwan have been canceled for the day.

Nepal has experienced heavy rainfall over the past week, leading disaster management authorities to issue warnings of flash floods in multiple rivers. Reports indicate flooding in several districts along the lowland areas bordering India. Last month, Nepal faced severe storms resulting in landslides, lightning strikes, and flooding, which claimed the lives of 14 people.