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Many dead in Nepal landslide

August 29, 2006 13:08 IST
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At least 20 people have been killed due to landslides and floods caused by incessant rains in western districts of Nepal, officials said on Tuesday.

According to UNI, more than 80 people are feared to have been killed and 2,000 others missing due to the landslide.

Nine persons, mostly labourers, were buried alive in a landslide on Tuesday morning in Lote area of Mustang district near the Tibetan border, 450 km northwest of Kathmandu, a Home Ministry official said. The labourers were working on the roadside when the landslide hit them, he said adding that six dead bodies have been recovered from the site so far.

"The condition of over 2,000 people from ward numbers 1,2,3 and 4 of Holiya of Bardiya District is still unknown. The rescue team could not reach them. Of the 10 people who were swept away from the roof of a house in Gangapur, one person has come back, but the condition of nine others is not known. Over 500 houses in Banke have been totally damaged'', The Himalayan Times said.

It also said up to 200 victims at Simra, Sitaipurawa, Khalaicha of Holiya VDC and Piprahawa were rescued with the help of Indian Border Security Force.

Police, army, district administration and health workers have been pressed into service. About 400 people from ward numbers 5,6 and 7 were airlifted and taken to Uchuwa. Water and food items were airdropped to the victims.

The death toll in landslides and floods in Achham and Banke districts have risen to 11 as per the latest reports. Eight people were buried when landslides damaged some 80 houses near Khaptad National Park in Achham district on Sunday, the official said.

In Gangapur village of Banke district three people were killed as they were swept away by floods. Some 52 people in the district are still missing, he said. The landslide has disrupted communication, blocked road and disrupted life in Achham district in far-west Nepal.

The government has sent a high-level team equipped with relief materials and medicines, led by Home Minister Krishna Sitoula, to the flood-hit districts. Army, police and Red Cross volunteers have also been mobilised through helicopters to the affected areas.

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