17 killed in Nepal landslides

Kathmandu, Sep 17 (EFE).- At least 17 people died and seven have gone missing after torrential rain triggered landslides in Nepal’s Achham region.

Dipesh Rijal, acting chief district officer in Achham, in the country’s far west, told Efe that incessant rainfall since Saturday morning had caused the landslides, which swept away houses.

Search and rescue team has been mobilised in the area, he added.

“Far west Nepal has been witnessing continuous rainfall over the last three days. The heavy downpour has affected electricity supply and road services in Achham,” he said. “People’s lives have been severely affected.”

Last week, floods and landslides in Darchula, also in far west Nepal, killed five people. Ten people are still missing.

Landslides and floods frequently occur in Nepal and the rest of South Asia during monsoon season.EFE

sp-daa/jt