Three passengers reportedly survived by jumping from a bus
KATHMANDU, JULY 12
Early this morning, two passenger buses went missing in the Trishuli River following landslides in the Simaltal area along the Narayanghat-Mugling road section in Chitwan district.
The two buses, traveling through Simaltal in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-29, were swept away by the landslide into the Trishuli River around 3:30 AM today.
According to authorities, one bus, operated by Ganapati Deluxe, was heading to Gaur in Rautahat from Kathmandu with around 41 passengers. The other bus, operated by Angel Deluxe, traveling to Kathmandu from Birgunj is said to have around 24 passengers on board.
Rescue efforts are underway with over 75 personnel from all three security forces, but heavy rain and high water levels in the Trishuli River are hindering efforts, according to the authorities.
A diving team from the Nepali Army and the Armed Police Force is searching for the buses, but they have yet to locate any of the vehicles.
The authorities have cleared the debris at the incident area and temporarily opened one-way traffic. However, continuously falling stones and landslide debris are making it difficult for traffic to resume unobstructed.
Although the Simaltal area was accessible, the Narayanghat-Mugling road section was blocked at the Kalikhola area, and authorities anticipated that it would take several hours to normalize traffic flow. The Muglin-Narayangadh road section was later reopened after clearing the debris at Kalikhola around 1 pm today. Currently, traffic is flowing in one direction only, with authorities actively working to facilitate two-way traffic as quickly as possible.
Three passengers traveling on the Ganapati Deluxe bus reportedly managed to save themselves by jumping from the bus as it was being swept away. These survivors, from Dewahi Gonahi Municipality and Sisawa Dhamaura of Brindaban Municipality in Rautahat district, have been brought to Narayanghat for treatment.
Authorities are still working to identify the vehicles and passengers involved, but exact details have not yet been confirmed.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on Firday morning took to social media 'X' to express profound sadness over the disappearance of two buses swept away by a landslide in Simtal. He also lamented the loss of lives and property caused by floods and landslides throughout the country. Additionally, he instructed all government agencies, including the Home Administration, to undertake swift and effective measures to locate and rescue the passengers.
Nepal has been grappling with monsoon-related disasters over the past few days, resulting in loss of lives, property damage, and widespread disruptions across the country. In Kaski district alone, 11 fatalities have been reported due to multiple landslide incidents that occurred last night.
As many as 38 people have lost their lives due to monsoon-related disasters in Gandaki Province this year, contributing to a total of 103 fatalities nationwide from landslides and floods, as reported by police statistics collected. Additionally, 108 people have been injured, and six individuals remain missing.
According to police reports, the fatalities include one in Kathmandu, 19 in Koshi, five in Madhesh Province, six in Bagmati, 38 in Gandaki, 23 in Lumbini, four in Karnali, and seven in Sudurpaschim Province.
