Seven people, including three children, are known to have been killed in a landslide in the remote Taplejang District of northeastern Nepal. Another four people are missing, while two more are seriously injured, according to local police. The incident happened when part of a hillside above Thumkina Villages collapsed, burying two houses. Thumkina is described as remote and sparsely populated; it is 260 km from Kathmandu and eight hours on foot from the nearest road.
The location of Taplejang District. Google Maps.
The incident happened following heavy rainfall associated with the onset of the Monsoon season, which begins in June in Nepal. Landslides are a common problem after severe weather events, as excess pore water pressure can overcome cohesion in soil and sediments, allowing them to flow like liquids. Approximately 90% of all landslides are caused by heavy rainfall.
See also Five people killed by landslip at Java brickworks, Three construction workers killed in Philippine landslip, Three workers killed in rockfall at Thai limestone quarry, Fifteen-year-old boy killed in Kathmandu landslide and Four children feared dead after after Philippine Landslide.
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