Govt suggests Rs 200,000 compensation for families of Simaltal landslide victims

Kathmandu / Aug 6: A task force investigating the disappearance of two buses and their passengers in the Trishuli River due to a landslide in Simaltal has recommended Rs 200,000 in compensation for each victim’s family.

The report, submitted to Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak on Tuesday, also suggests an additional Rs 100,000 for the families that lost multiple members. It includes provisions for compensating the families of those still missing and offering free medical care to the injured.

Formed by Home Minister Lekhak, the five-member task force, led by Joint Secretary Chhabi Rijal and comprising representatives from three security agencies and the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure, was tasked with examining the event.

On July 12, a massive landslide in Simaltal swept away two buses—one traveling from Birgunj to Kathmandu and the other from Kathmandu to Gaur—into the Trishuli River. Among 65 passengers in the two buses, three escaped by jumping from the buses while 24 bodies have been recovered. The status of the remaining two buses and 38 passengers remains unknown.