The Ditible
Four days after a landslide swept two buses into the Trishuli River, Nepal’s Ministry of Home Affairs has reached out to India and Bangladesh for assistance in the search effort.
Following an on-site inspection on Sunday, officials contacted their counterparts in both countries, seeking help with manpower and technology.
“We’ve deployed all available resources in Nepal for the search,” said Dr. Bhishma Kumar Bhusal, Head of the Conflict and Disaster Management Division at the Ministry. “We’ve also requested assistance from India and Bangladesh.”
Nepal directly contacted Indian officials, while Bangladesh was approached through their embassy in Kathmandu.
“We understand Bangladesh has a highly skilled disaster response team,” Dr. Bhusal said. “Unfortunately, their expertise lies in calmer water environments, not the fast currents of the Trishuli.”
Despite this setback, Dr. Bhusal remains hopeful. “We’ve intensified the search with both local and international help. All possible measures are being taken, and we expect positive results soon.”
The landslide occurred last Friday, July 12th, around 3:30 am, pushing two buses carrying an estimated 65 passengers into the Trishuli River. Search operations began immediately, but so far, only 11 bodies have been recovered.
The rapid flow of the river continues to be a major challenge. “The current is so strong it’s risky even for motorboats,” Dr. Bhusal said. “Still, we’re leaving no stone unturned in our search efforts, and that includes seeking help from our neighbors.”
