PHIDIM: Police recovered 21 bodies buried by the landslides in various villages of western Taplejung since Thursday.

At least 37 persons are missing, according to police. The security officials, however, added that they are not yet sure how many persons were buried in the landslides.

DSP Shanti Raj Koirala at the District Police Office said Thinglawu, Khokling, Libang, Santhakra and Lingtep villages were worst hit by the landslips.

Ten persons of a single family were killed in Libang.

Koirala said police so far recovered bodies of seven men, six women and eight children. Of them, six bodies were handed over to their kin.

Though police have not declared missing persons dead, locals suspect that most of them were already killed.

The District Administration Office has deployed 150 Nepal Police and Armed Police Force personnel to carry out rescue operations while hundreds of locals are assisting them.

Koirala said security personnel have reached all affected villages.

Meanwhile, a Nepal Army helicopter has been mobilised to airlift the victims.

Thick fog has adversely affected the rescue operation, according to security officials.

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