Tragedy in Nepal: Rescuers Recover Fifth Body After Mudslide and Flood

Rescuers in Nepal have found the body of a fifth victim after two buses were swept into a river by a mudslide in the Chitwan district. The victims included three Indian nationals. Over 500 security personnel are involved in the ongoing search operation using advanced equipment in challenging conditions.

Rescuers in Nepal on Sunday recovered the body of another person who went missing when two buses were swept into a swollen river by a mudslide in Chitwan district last week, raising the death toll to five, police said, including three Indians.

The rescue team found the fifth body at Gaindakot-7 while searching for passengers after two buses with 65 passengers went missing in the flooded Trishuli River on Friday.

The landslide occurred in the Simaltal area along the Narayanghat-Mugling road. Three people managed to swim to safety. So far, five bodies, including three Indians, have been recovered, according to a police spokesperson.

Despite efforts by over 500 security personnel, including the Nepal Army and Police, the wreckage of the buses remains missing. Advanced equipment, including water drones, drone cameras, and sonar cameras, are being used in the challenging search operation, said APF co-spokesperson DSP Shailendra Thapa. Chitwan Chief District Officer Indradev Yadav stated that comprehensive efforts are ongoing at the incident site and along the Narayani River downstream.

Nepal is highly vulnerable to the climate crisis, having experienced multiple extreme weather events in the past 15 years. Average temperatures in Nepal are rising faster than the global rate, exacerbating the frequency and severity of weather events.

(With inputs from agencies.)