Monsoon-Triggered Landslides in Nepal Kill at Least 15
Officials warn that the landslides, triggered by heavy rain during the monsoon season that starts in June, will be worse this year because of the major earthquakes that struck Nepal in April. The earthquakes have left more than 8,700 people dead and the mountainous terrain of the country unstable.
At least a dozen houses have been swept away by landslides in the mountainous Taplejung district.
“We have found the bodies of 15 people, and around 15 others have been reported missing. They were said to be inside the destroyed houses,” Nepalese government administrator Surendra Bhattarai said. “Ten people suffered injuries, and police are on the ground helping the wounded.”
Fog has been hindering rescue operations, and the death toll could rise.
“We are trying to arrange helicopters for rescue operations,” Bhattarai said.