Nepal: Over 60 people missing after two buses swept into river

In a tragic incident in Nepal, two buses carrying over 60 people were swept away by a devastating landslide and plunged into a rain-swollen river on Friday, Al Jazeera reported.

The vehicles, traveling on the Narayanghat-Mugling highway near the town of Simaltar, were caught in the disaster in the early hours of the morning.

According to government administrator Khima Nanada Bhusal, only three survivors were able to swim to safety and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Rescue teams, including military and police personnel, have been mobilized to search for the missing passengers, but their efforts have been hampered by the continuous rainfall and landslides blocking access roads in the area.

This tragic event is the latest in a series of weather-related disasters that have plagued Nepal in recent weeks. The country’s monsoon season, which runs from June to September, has brought heavy downpours triggering numerous landslides across the Himalayan nation.

In a social media post, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed his sadness over the incident and instructed government agencies to conduct effective search and rescue operations. Dozens have already lost their lives in the region due to the torrential rains and flooding, underscoring the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and response measures in Nepal.