monsoon season - Nepal: Slides down - at least 60 people missing
In Nepal, at least 60 people are missing after a landslide caused two buses to be torn apart on a road. Search teams are currently looking for the vehicles, it is unclear if they have been buried or carried away by the river, a police spokesperson told the German Press Agency. At least three people are reported to have survived the incident in the Simaltaal area of Chitwan district.
Such incidents are common during the monsoon season. This season typically lasts from June to September in South Asia - and every year, hundreds of people die due to landslides and floods. The national disaster management authority in Nepal reported that at least 80 people have died in the country over the past week.
The damages are often extensive - houses are swept away and roads are submerged. However, the rain is also essential for agriculture in the 30-million-inhabitant country.
The landslide occurrence in Nepal is not unique to this incident, as it often happens during the monsoon season in Southern Asia. The weather during this time can be particularly challenging, making travel difficult, especially in cities like Kathmandu where traffic experiences significant disruptions. Vehicle movements can become hazardous due to the heavy rain and potential flooding, as witnessed in the Simaltaal area of Chitwan district.
