Two killed, 10 missing after landslide buries homes in Rolpa

Two people have died and 10 are missing after a devastating landslide struck homes in the Rolpa district of Nepal. The disaster occurred late Wednesday night in Kotlabara, Thabang Rural Municipality-5, when heavy rainfall triggered a massive slide that buried houses, shops, and animal shelters.

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At least two people were killed, and 10 others are missing after a landslide triggered by heavy rain buried houses, shops and cattle sheds in Kotlabara of Thabang Rural Municipality-5 in Rolpa district, police said.

Authorities confirmed the recovery of two bodies: 18-year-old Shanti Pun Magar and 67-year-old Kamal Bahadur Pun Magar. Both were residents of the affected area. Relatives and a local health worker confirmed their deaths. The landslide swept down the hillside around 8:40 pm, engulfing structures where approximately seven families lived, including the home of Kamal Bahadur Pun Magar.

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The bodies of 18-year-old Shanti Pun Magar and 67-year-old Kamal Bahadur Pun Magar were recovered from the debris.

Rescue operations began overnight and continued into Thursday morning, hampered by the challenging terrain. Two individuals, 22-year-old Himal Pun Magar and 25-year-old Sanjay Gharti Magar, sustained serious injuries and were transported for medical treatment. Police and local residents are actively searching for the missing, with fears that more individuals could be trapped beneath the debris.

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Gharti Magar said the difficult terrain was making it extremely challenging to rescue those trapped and provide medical treatment.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Pancha Kumar Bakhu, the Rolpa police chief, stated that the search and rescue operation is ongoing and further details are expected as the efforts progress. The affected area is located about 80 kilometers northeast of the district headquarters, Liwang. The Uwa region, where the incident occurred, is known to be highly vulnerable to landslides, with a similar event in a nearby village years ago claiming at least six lives.

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the search and rescue operation was continuing and that further details were expected as the operation progressed.