Nepali rescue teams have resumed their search efforts early Saturday for 63 people missing after a devastating landslide triggered by monsoon rains swept two buses off a highway in central Chitwan district.

The force of Friday's landslide propelled the buses over concrete crash barriers and into the raging Trishuli river, approximately 30 meters (100 feet) below the road level. Despite hours of combing through the muddy and swiftly flowing waters, rescuers were unable to locate any signs of the vehicles or their occupants before sundown forced them to halt operations.

"We will search all possible places," affirmed Chitwan district chief Indra Dev Yadav, acknowledging the challenges posed by high water levels, strong currents, and poor visibility due to muddy conditions. Efforts are being maximized despite these obstacles to locate and rescue any survivors.

Initial reports indicated that the buses were carrying a total of 66 people. Three individuals managed to escape and were treated at a local hospital, but the fate of the remaining passengers remains uncertain. The tragic incident occurred early in the morning along the Narayanghat-Mugling highway, approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) west of Kathmandu.

In a separate incident on the same highway, a driver lost his life after a boulder struck his bus. Despite receiving treatment at a hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.

Nepal faces frequent deadly accidents on its roads due to poorly constructed infrastructure, inadequate vehicle maintenance, and reckless driving practices. Government statistics indicate nearly 2,400 fatalities on Nepali roads in the 12 months leading up to April, underscoring persistent safety concerns.

During the monsoon season, road travel becomes particularly hazardous across the mountainous country as heavy rains trigger landslides and floods. These natural disasters have already claimed 88 lives since the onset of the monsoon in June, highlighting the ongoing risks posed by seasonal weather patterns exacerbated by climate change.

As rescue efforts continue amidst challenging conditions, Nepali authorities and rescue teams are striving to mitigate further loss of life and provide support to affected communities in this time of crisis.