Rolpa — A devastating Rolpa landslide has killed at least two people and left 10 others missing after relentless monsoon rain triggered a massive slide in Thabang Rural Municipality-5, Kotalbara, late Wednesday night. The landslide buried homes and cattle sheds in the remote hill settlement, and two more people have been rescued injured as search teams race against worsening weather to find survivors.

How the Rolpa Landslide Unfolded

The landslide struck around 8:40 PM Wednesday, sweeping away roughly six houses and cattle sheds, including the home of local resident Kamal Bahadur Pun Magar. Police confirmed the disaster occurred after days of continuous rainfall saturated the hillside above the settlement, a pattern that has become disturbingly common across Nepal’s mid-hill districts during the current monsoon season.

Confirmed Deaths and Missing Persons

District Police Office Rolpa spokesperson DSP Panch Kumar Bakhu confirmed that 60-year-old Kamal Bahadur Pun Magar and 18-year-old Shanti Pun Magar were found dead, buried under mud and debris. Two others — 22-year-old Himal Pun Magar and 25-year-old Sanjay Gharti Magar — were pulled out injured with help from local residents and taken for treatment. As of the latest update, 10 people remain unaccounted for, and rescuers fear the toll could rise as search operations continue.

Emergency Response and Rescue Operations

News of the landslide reached the Area Police Office in Uwa around 9:30 PM Wednesday, prompting an immediate deployment of police personnel to the site. By 4:00 AM Thursday, a 13-member police rescue team, equipped with disaster relief and search equipment, was dispatched from the District Police Office, Rolpa, under the command of Deputy Superintendent of Police Panch Kumar Bakhu.

Chief District Officer Ganga Bahadur Chhetri also reached the site at around 4:30 AM Thursday to personally oversee coordination efforts. Police say search and rescue operations remain ongoing, though poor phone connectivity in the remote area has slowed the flow of updated information from the ground.

Rolpa Landslide Fits a Grim Monsoon Pattern in Nepal

This tragedy in Rolpa adds to what has already been a punishing monsoon season for Nepal. According to Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), the country recorded 127 deaths from natural disasters between mid-April and early July 2026, with landslides alone accounting for a significant share of casualties nationwide. Nepal’s steep terrain, fragile geology, and intense monsoon rainfall make hill and mountain districts like Rolpa especially vulnerable to slope failures once the ground becomes saturated. For live updates on disaster incidents across Nepal, the NDRRMA’s official portal tracks ongoing landslides, floods, and rescue operations nationwide.

Why Landslides Are Becoming More Frequent in Nepal’s Hills

Experts point to a mix of factors driving Nepal’s rising landslide toll: intense and erratic monsoon rainfall, deforestation, unstable road-cutting on steep slopes, and settlements built in geologically fragile zones. Districts like Rolpa, tucked into Nepal’s mid-western hills, are particularly prone to slope collapse when days of continuous rain saturate loose soil above villages. Authorities have repeatedly urged residents living near steep slopes, riverbanks, and known landslide-prone zones to relocate temporarily during periods of heavy rainfall.

What Residents in Landslide-Prone Areas Should Do

Disaster response officials recommend the following precautions for communities living in high-risk hill districts during monsoon season:

• Avoid staying in homes built directly below steep, saturated slopes during heavy rainfall
• Watch for warning signs such as cracking sounds, sudden water discoloration, or tilting trees and fences
• Keep emergency contact numbers on hand — Nepal’s disaster hotlines 1234, 100, and 1114 connect directly to rescue services
• Move livestock away from vulnerable sheds during extended rain
• Follow local ward and municipality alerts, and avoid unnecessary travel at night during active rainfall
• Report missing persons or damage immediately to the nearest police office for faster rescue coordination

Rescue Operations Continue as Weather Remains a Challenge

As of the latest reports, search and rescue teams remain on-site in Kotalbara, working through mud and debris to locate the 10 missing residents. The operation is being complicated by continuing rain and limited communication access in the remote settlement. Local authorities say further updates are expected once rescue teams can fully assess the scale of destruction and confirm the fate of all those still unaccounted for.

This report is based on updates from Nepal Police, District Police Office Rolpa, and local administration as of Thursday morning. For real-time disaster alerts and safety guidance in Nepal, refer to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).