Early Friday morning, a landslide in central Nepal swept two passenger buses into the swelling Trishuli River carrying at least 60 people. Basis rescue efforts have been hampered by continuous rain and more landslides.

According to sources, three survivors swam to safety, but late morning, no trace of the buses was found. The buses were doubtless submerged and never recovered because they were swept downstream in this fast-flowing river, further hampered by heavy monsoon rains.

The accident occurred early on Monday at about 3 a.m. local time near Simaltal, about 120 kilometers west of Kathmandu, along a main highway connecting the capital with southern Nepal.

Further landslides have blocked the access routes, complicating the rescue operations. The government administrator, Khima Nanada Bhusal, stated that more rescuers and security forces were dispatched to the area for assistance. Police and army people searched with rubber rafts, while divers equipped with scuba gear were also mobilized, according to Chitwan district police.

One of the buses had at least 24 persons on board while the other had at least 42, but more passengers could be added en route. Three survivors, who villagers said jumped from the bus and swam to safety, have since been receiving treatment in a hospital in the area after they had been recovered.

Friday morning, a landslide hit another bus further down the same highway, killing the driver. It was immediately not clear if there were other casualties.

The Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, shared his grief and concern over the recent floods and landslides. He said that there are engaged agencies of the government in search of missing people. A landslide buried a hut near Pokhara last Thursday night, killing a family of seven who were asleep inside and damaging three nearby houses.

What is obvious to point out is that the monsoon rain particularly at this time of year, June to September, easily triggers landslides in Nepal's mountainous areas.