Kathmandu, October 5(HS): At least 18 people have been confirmed dead after heavy overnight rainfall triggered multiple landslides across eastern Nepal’s Ilam district late Saturday, local officials said.

According to Chief District Officer Sunita Nepal, landslides struck several areas including Ilam Municipality and Maijogmai, where two houses were buried under debris. Search and rescue operations are ongoing to locate the missing and assist the injured.

Rescue efforts began early Sunday morning but have been hampered by treacherous terrain and continuous rainfall. Authorities have requested a helicopter from Itahari to assist in operations at Mangsebung, though adverse weather has made flying extremely difficult.

Police confirmed that five people died in a single household in Ilam, while one person was killed and another seriously injured in Chhange, Sandakpur. In Maijogmai Municipality’s Pyang area, five members of one family also perished. Another incident in Sulubung, Sandakpur, left one girl missing after her home was swept away.

In Mangsebung, a pregnant woman and a man sustained serious injuries, officials said. Meanwhile, one person died in Ratmet, Aamchowk, after being buried by debris during another landslide in Phakphokthum.

Authorities said more information is being gathered as rescue operations continue in several rain-hit locations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar