Kathmandu, Nepal – As political leaders engage in a race for the position of Prime Minister, the nation of Nepal is gripped by a tragic search for over 60 individuals missing after a catastrophic landslide swept two buses into a river. This disaster, highlighting the dire consequences of the country’s inadequate road infrastructure, has left the public in a state of mourning and shock.

The landslide occurred in the early hours of Friday, around 03:30 local time (21:45 GMT Thursday), along the Narayanghat-Mugling highway in Chitwan, approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the capital, Kathmandu. Triggered by heavy monsoon rains, the landslide pushed the buses off the road and into the swollen river below.

Survivors have recounted harrowing experiences from the incident. Nandan Das, one of the three known survivors, described the bus suddenly rolling down into the river, saying, “I felt like I was going to die.” Das managed to swim to safety despite the darkness and treacherous conditions, finding the river full of large boulders and foliage. “We were chanting the name of God and swam and swam and swam. God saved us,” he said, detailing his arduous climb to the riverbank and subsequent search for help.

Another survivor, Jogishwar Raya, recounted the bus “trembling and overturning four or five times before plunging into the river.” Tragically, Raya’s family members, including his son, daughter-in-law, grandson, and granddaughter, remain missing. “Out of five family members, I was alone to survive; the rest vanished,” he lamented.

The monsoon season has already claimed numerous lives across South Asia, with Nepal facing significant devastation due to floods and landslides exacerbated by relentless rainfall.

In addition to the immediate tragedy, this incident underscores ongoing issues in Nepal. Poorly maintained roads and reckless driving contribute to frequent deadly crashes. Over the past 18 years, Nepal has seen 16 different prime ministers, reflecting a tumultuous political landscape that has often hampered consistent infrastructure development and safety improvements.

Authorities are urging residents in the south-east, particularly near the Koshi river, to remain vigilant as water levels continue to rise above the danger threshold. The country remains on edge, with key highways blocked and bridges swept away by the force of nature.

As the nation searches for the missing and mourns the lives lost, the need for robust infrastructure and effective disaster management becomes ever more pressing. The tragedy along the Narayanghat-Mugling highway is a stark reminder of the human cost of neglect and the urgent need for change.