Taplejung landslide: 14 yet to be rescued, pm to visit affected area

Paanchthar, June 12: Fourteen people trapped in the landslide in Lyamlyam of Liwang VDC in southern Taplejung are yet to be rescued. The rescue work has not been possible due to adverse weather conditions, said Chief District Officer Damaru Prasad Niroula.

A helicopter sent to the site on Thursday evening returned back before reaching the destination due to unfavourable weather. Likewise, another effort made this morning too could not materialize due to continuous rainfall, CDO Niroula said. Eight others however were rescued from Liwang on Thursday itself by the Nepali Army helicopter.

The 14 people remain trapped since Wednesday night in the mid of Fugamden, where landslides continues to take place. Meanwhile, a police team has reached the affected site and may rescue the people if not possible by air, said Chief of District Police Office in Taplejung Shanti Raj Koirala.

So far, at least 55 people have been reported killed in five VDCs of the district. So far 24 bodies have been recovered with 31 still missing, CDO Niroula said.

Meanwhile, a team led by Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and including UML Chair KP Sharma Oli and Chief of Army Staff Gaurav Shumsher JB Rana is scheduled to arrive in Taplejung today to inspect the landslides affected area, according to CDO Niroula.