By In a tragic incident that underscores the dangers of Nepal’s monsoon season, at least 60 people are missing after two buses were swept off a major highway into the swollen Trishuli River. The disaster occurred in the early hours of Friday morning, approximately 120 kilometers west of Kathmandu, sparking a large-scale rescue operation.
The buses were traveling on a highway connecting the capital to southern parts of Nepal when they were swept away near Simaltal. Three survivors who managed to swim to safety are currently receiving treatment in a nearby hospital, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy.
Rescue efforts are being hampered by continuous rain, poor visibility, and the threat of further landslides. The Nepalese authorities have mobilized both army and police forces to assist in the search, but as of late morning, the submerged vehicles had not been located. The brown, swollen waters of the Trishuli River, a result of torrential monsoon downpours, are making it extremely difficult for rescuers to spot any wreckage.
Adding to the grim toll, a third bus was hit by another landslide on the same highway, resulting in the death of the driver. The fate of any other passengers remains unclear. In a separate incident, a family of seven perished when a landslide buried their hut near the resort town of Pokhara on Thursday night.
These incidents are part of a wider crisis gripping Nepal as it battles the effects of an intense monsoon season. Since mid-June, nearly 100 people have lost their lives due to flooding and landslides across the mountainous nation. The extreme weather has also caused significant damage to infrastructure, with many routes blocked by landslides in several places.
Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed his sorrow over the recent events and voiced concern about the ongoing flooding and landslides affecting the country. As the search continues for those missing in the Trishuli River, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of extreme weather events and the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and response mechanisms in vulnerable regions.
The international community watches anxiously as Nepal grapples with this unfolding tragedy, hoping for positive news amidst the challenging rescue efforts.
