Two killed, two missing in Okhaldhunga landslide

June 23, Kathmandu: In a devastating incident fueled by relentless rainfall, a house in Okhaldhunga was swept away by a landslide, resulting in the tragic deaths of two individuals. Ran Bahadur Gurung, 36, and his wife Shivmaya Gurung, 29, lost their lives when their residence in Champadevi Rural Municipality-8 was engulfed by a landslide on Thursday night.

The landslide also rendered Gurung’s two children, 10-year-old Dinesh and 18-month-old Kritika, missing. Search and rescue operations, led by the Nepal Police and Armed Police Forces, are underway to locate the missing individuals, according to Okhaldhunga Police Inspector Devendra Das.

Reports indicate that the landslide, originating from higher grounds, struck Gurung’s house along with three other neighbouring houses at approximately 11 p.m. While the remaining occupants managed to escape and survive, the houses of Bal Bahadur Gurung and Jarsingh Gurung were also demolished by the landslide.

The exact extent of the damage caused to property and livestock is yet to be determined. Authorities are working to assess the overall impact of the landslide and provide necessary aid and support to the affected community.

As the search efforts continue, the entire region mourns the loss of Ran Bahadur Gurung and Shivmaya Gurung, hoping for the safe return of the missing children amidst this tragic natural disaster.