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Nepal landslides kill 20 soldiers, five civilians
Kathmandu, Aug 17: Two massive landslides in northwestern Nepal killed 20 soldiers, with five others feared dead, and five civilians, the military said today.
Kathmandu, Aug 17: Two massive landslides in northwestern Nepal killed 20 soldiers, with five others feared dead, and five civilians, the military said today.
A landslide triggered by soaking rains ploughed into an army post occupied by 65 soldiers in Rasuwa district early yesterday, burying 20 soldiers and weapons, an army source said.
Five others were missing and feared dead, the source said.
"At least 37 soldiers miraculously survived when their shelters were swept several hundred metres (feet) down," the army source said.
"After day-long rescue operation by 150 soldiers, 15 bodies of the soldiers were retrieved from the debris on Saturday," the source said.
Another landslide in Dhaibung village in the same district, 95 kilometres northwest of Kathmandu, killed five members of the same family.
Heavy rainfall and landslides in rasuwa district have caused extensive damage to roads and swept away two bridges, disrupting traffic, a home ministry source said.
Landslides are common in Nepal in summer when snow melts in the Himalayas and lowland areas are hit by monsoon rains and floods.
At least 147 people have died in landslides in Nepal since mid-June, according to home ministry figures.
Almost all the highways that link the Nepalese capital with the rest of the country have been closed at some points this summer by mudslides or landslides.
Bureau Report
Five others were missing and feared dead, the source said.
"At least 37 soldiers miraculously survived when their shelters were swept several hundred metres (feet) down," the army source said.
"After day-long rescue operation by 150 soldiers, 15 bodies of the soldiers were retrieved from the debris on Saturday," the source said.
Another landslide in Dhaibung village in the same district, 95 kilometres northwest of Kathmandu, killed five members of the same family.
Heavy rainfall and landslides in rasuwa district have caused extensive damage to roads and swept away two bridges, disrupting traffic, a home ministry source said.
Landslides are common in Nepal in summer when snow melts in the Himalayas and lowland areas are hit by monsoon rains and floods.
At least 147 people have died in landslides in Nepal since mid-June, according to home ministry figures.
Almost all the highways that link the Nepalese capital with the rest of the country have been closed at some points this summer by mudslides or landslides.
Bureau Report