A landslide triggered by incessant rainfall on Thursday night killed a 50-year-old woman and a 15-month-old infant in Gaurishankar Rural Municipality in Dolakha district. Their bodies were recovered from the landslide debris on Friday.

Two men, aged 49 and 60 years, have gone missing while several others have been displaced by the landslide in Marbu Topatar village of the rural municipality.

Four people were injured, two seriously, in the disaster. All of the injured have been sent to Kathmandu for treatment.

Two seriously injured victims, a 40-year-old man and his 39-year-old wife, were airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment on Friday while two women who escaped the landslide with minor injuries were sent to Kathmandu in an ambulance the same day.

All landslide victims are from Marbu Topatar village in the rural municipality, according to Sonam Sherpa, chairman of ward 7 of the rural municipality.

“Five houses were completely swept away by the landslide. The security personnel are looking for the missing victims,” said Sherpa. “The authorities are still assessing the damage caused by the landslide.”

According to Chief District Officer Komal Prasad Dhamala, a joint team of security personnel, including the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force, has been deployed for the search and rescue operations.

Another landslide hit Khare area in ward 8 of the rural municipality, but no casualties have been reported so far. According to ward chair Dewa Sherpa, the landslide washed away five houses and displaced 15 families in the ward. “The landslide swept away roads, electricity poles and telephone towers due to which the security personnel deployed for the search and rescue operations are having difficulties reaching the affected area,” said Dewa. “So far, rescuers have dug up 62 dead goats and one buffalo from the landslide debris.”

Dewa stresses the need for immediate first aid and relief for the landslide victims, but says road obstruction has caused delays in sending help. “The displaced have been moved to Thakchi where they are currently living under tarpaulin tents,” he said. “Hopefully, the road obstruction will be cleared by Saturday and we can send relief materials to the victims.”

Meanwhile, the authorities are having difficulties searching for and rescuing the victims of ward 7 as the only suspension bridge connecting Marbu Topatar to Salle in ward 8 has been badly damaged by frequent floods and landslides in the area. “The displaced are taking shelter at Marbu Topatar Community School. The roads leading to the village are also badly damaged by the landslide. Efforts are on to clear the roads by Saturday so we can send help,” said Dhamala.