At least five dozen people are missing after two passenger buses overturned on the Madan-Ashrit highway in central Nepal early Friday morning.

Kathmandu: At least five dozen people are missing after two passenger buses overturned on the Madan-Ashrit highway in central Nepal early Friday morning. According to officials at the spot, the bus is believed to have drifted into the Trishuli river, hampering search and rescue operations.

Deeply saddened by defeat: Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal

Expressing grief over the disappearance of the bus in Trishuli River, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has ordered an immediate search and rescue operation. Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, “Deeply saddened by the loss of about five dozen passengers and property damage due to floods and landslides in various parts of the country. Narayangad-Muglin road was washed away by a crack. I direct all agencies of the government, including the home administration, to search and effectively rescue the passengers.”

Narayangadh-Muglin Division Khandko Simatalma first bagatra nearly enter Pachana this missing and flood first prevention in different parts of the country because Dhanjanko expresses deep sorrow towards the defect. The government is satisfied with all the management along with the search for travelers and effective slow home administration.

— ☭ Comrade Prachanda (@cmprachanda) 12 July 2024

Search operation is in progress

A search operation is currently underway. “According to preliminary information, there were a total of 63 people in both the buses, including the bus drivers. Around 3:30 in the morning, the busses were swept away by the landslide. We are at the spot and a search operation is on. Incessant rains are hampering our efforts to trace the missing buses,” Chitwan Chief District Officer Indradev Yadav confirmed to news agency ANI.

“On 28th of Ashadh, Chitwan forces along with divers have been deployed for relief operations after reports of collapse of buses carrying passengers at Bharatpur-29 Narayangad-Muglin road section, Simaltal, Chitwan district. Assistance from other security agencies and locals,” the Nepali Army tweeted.

Chitwan district, Bharatpur-29 Narayangadh-Mulin Chowk area, on 28th of Ashadh, passengers outside the buses, outside the first Roma, received information about Chitwan situation, including the army, criminal police, other security forces, and the local public participation work is ongoing.#Nepali Army #NAinSearchNRescueOps pic.twitter.com/85jXUcsksm

— Nepali Army (@NepaliArmyHQ) 12 July 2024

All flights from Kathmandu to Bharatpur, Chitwan have been cancelled

All flights from Kathmandu to Bharatpur in Chitwan have been canceled for the day due to inclement weather.

According to officials, two buses were swept away by the landslide: a Kathmandu-bound Angel bus and a Ganpati Deluxe, which was traveling from Kathmandu to Gaur in Rautahat. According to preliminary reports by the authorities, there were 24 people in the Kathmandu-bound bus and 41 people were traveling in the second bus.

(with ANI input)