Nepal: Landslides kill at least 30 people

On July 30th, landslides, triggered by torrential rain swept through villages, killing at least 30 people and disappearance of 42, close to Nepal's most popular trekking circuit, officials said.

(Photo: nbcnews.com)

In the village of Lumle, 15 km from the start of the Annapurna Circuit hiking route, about half of the homes were buried or destroyed by the torrent of mud and rocks.

The risk of landslides during the current rainy season is higher than usual because of the two powerful earthquakes in the region earlier this year which killed nearly 9,000 people.

Nepal Army and Nepal Police personnel have been mobilised in the sites to carry out rescue works. Nepal Army headquarters in Kathmandu capital has also sent a helicopter in the incident sites to help in the rescue operations.

The Government has asked for mechanical diggers and other heavy equipment to help with the search./.

( Hoang Anh )