Search resumes in villages hit by Nepal landslide, 11 dead

KATHMANDU, Nepal – Rescuers resumed searching on Monday for people missing since a deadly landslide struck three villages in Nepal’s mountains, authorities said.

So far, 11 bodies have been pulled from the debris and police, soldiers and villagers were scouring the earth for at least 15 more believed to be buried by the landslide, government administrator Baburam Khanal said on the telephone.

The landslide early Sunday swept three villages before the slide stopped at a river. Continuous rainfall had made it difficult for rescuers on Sunday.

Weather conditions had improved Monday around Sindhupalchowk district, about 120 kilometres (75 miles) east of the capital, Kathmandu, allowing the rescuers to access the higher grounds, he said.

Landslides are common in mountainous Nepal during the monsoon season that usually ends in September.