The death toll from a landslide triggered by incessant rainfall in Thabang Rural Municipality-5 of Rolpa has risen to seven.
The landslide occurred at Kotlabara on Tuesday evening, burying several houses and leaving five people missing. Two others were injured in the incident.
The injured have been identified as 22-year-old Himal Pun Magar and 25-year-old Sanjay Gharti Magar, both residents of the area. They were initially treated at Thabang Health Post and later referred to Butwal for further treatment.
The deceased have been identified as 18-year-old Shanti Pun Magar, 65-year-old Kamal Bahadur Pun Magar, 40-year-old Jun Kumari Pun Magar, nine-year-old Ashim Pun Magar, six-year-old Ashok Pun Magar, 75-year-old Dal Bahadur Pun Magar and 71-year-old Manrakhi Pun Magar.
The five people still missing are 80-year-old Ajambar Pun Magar, 78-year-old Bal Bahadur Pun Magar, 72-year-old Lil Bahadur Pun Magar, 71-year-old Mani Pun Magar and 67-year-old Hastakala Pun Magar.
A joint team of the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police has been deployed to search for those missing in the landslide.
Search and rescue operations have been hampered by continuous rainfall and recurring mud-laden landslides in the area.
The bodies of one woman and two men who died in the landslide were found along the banks of the Madi River in Swargadwari Municipality and Mandavi Rural Municipality of neighbouring Pyuthan district.
Following the discovery, a disaster management team from the Armed Police Force’s Pyuthan unit has also been mobilised to assist in the search for the missing.
According to DSP Shailendra Thapa, the house of deceased Kamal Bahadur Pun Magar and other houses and livestock sheds were buried in the landslide. Several livestock are also reported to be missing.
