Katmandu, July 15: A landslide swept through two mountain villages, killing at least 50 people early today, independent Kantipur radio reported. The landslide swept through Dipsung and Sikundel villages in Khotang district, about 200 kilometers east of the capital, Katmandu, the station said. The villagers were asleep and at least 20 houses were crushed, the station said, adding that four people were rescued from the debris. At least 20 people buried by the landslide were sleeping in the same house, the station said. Bad weather and lack of roads in the remote region were hampering rescue efforts, the station said.
Rescuers had not reached the villages by afternoon. They lie at least six hours by foot, in good weather, from the nearest town.
The radio station quoted Ranabahadur Rai, a villager, as saying that the communications center near the villages had been destroyed by Maoist rebels a few months ago, snapping telecommunications links with the rest of the district.
Bureau Report