The death toll from a landslide triggered by relentless rain in Kotalbara in ward 5 of Thabang Rural Municipality in Rolpa has risen to ten, officials said.

Rolpa Chief District Officer Ganga Bahadur Chhetri confirmed the casualties.

The victims have been identified as 18-year-old Shanti Pun Magar, 60-year-old Kamal Bahadur Pun Magar, 80-year-old Manrakhi Pun Magar, 75-year-old Dal Bahadur Pun Magar and 85-year-old Hastakala Roka Magar.

Five more bodies were recovered from different locations along the Lungri river in Rolpa and the Madi river in neighbouring Pyuthan. Three of the victims have been identified, Chhetri said.

Two people seriously injured in the landslide, 22-year-old Himal Pun Magar and 25-year-old Sanjay Gharti Magar, were initially treated at the Primary Health Centre in Sulichaur. They were later referred to the Provincial Hospital in Butwal for further treatment.

The landslide buried nine houses, a mobile shop, two livestock sheds and a church, said Krishna Shrestha, information officer at the District Police Office in Rolpa.

A team of health workers, along with Deputy Inspector General Bhupendra Bahadur Khatri, chief of Lumbini Province Police Office, Tulsipur, has reached the disaster site.

Police have mobilised personnel from the District Police Office in Rolpa under Deputy Superintendent of Police Pancha Kumar Bakhu, the Thabang Area Police Office, the Nepali Army, the Armed Police Force and dedicated disaster-response teams for search and rescue operations.

Police have also deployed specialised disaster-response equipment and an investigation team as the search continues.