Nepal Seeks India's Aid in Search Operation After Landslide Sweeps Away Buses

Nepal formally requested India for assistance in locating two buses and over five dozen passengers swept away by a landslide. The Ministry of Home Affairs requested technical support to trace and recover bodies from the Trishuli River. Thirteen bodies were recovered so far.

Nepal has officially sought India's help in locating two buses and over five dozen passengers engulfed by a landslide in Central Nepal last Friday morning. On Monday, Nepal's Ministry of Home Affairs sent a letter seeking technical support from India to aid in the search efforts.

Joint Secretary Bhismakumar Bhusal from the Home Ministry's Disaster and Conflict Management Division confirmed to ANI that Nepal has requested technical assistance, including divers. 'All available resources seem insufficient, which is why we've asked India for help. This is the first instance we've made such a request,' Bhusal stated.

Nepal previously enlisted Bangladesh's assistance for similar search operations. This latest request to India emphasizes the need for advanced technologies to trace and recover bodies or remains from the Trishuli River, where the buses were carried away.

As of Tuesday morning, 13 bodies were recovered following the landslide in Bharatpur metropolis-29, Simaltal, Chitwan. Police reports indicate that four of these bodies were found in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) on Monday alone.

Among the recovered bodies, five have been identified as passengers from the missing buses. The remaining bodies, also presumed to be passengers, await identification. Some were found near Gandak Barrage Bridge and others along Narayani river bank at Madhyabindu-2.

Identified victims include Ramit Kasur Majhi (19), Bikas Pariyar (22), Sajad Ansari (30), Rahum Miya (17), Rishipal Sah (28), Jay Prakash Thakur (30), and Paramananda Pandit (43). The bodies have been sent to Bharatpur Hospital for further procedures.

(With inputs from agencies.)