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Landslides and Floods Kill At Least 21 in Nepali Mountains

The landslide hit during the night about 310 miles east of Kathmandu, killing locals while they were sleeping in their homes, as Nepal struggles to recover from the massive earthquake in April.
Photo by Samir Jung Thapa/EPA

At least 21 people have been killed in landslide and floods triggered by heavy rainfall in Nepal's mountainous northeast region, officials said on Thursday.

The landslides hit six villages during the night in Taplejung district, about 310 miles east of the capital, Kathmandu, killing locals while they were sleeping in their homes, according to government administrator Surendra Bhattarai.

At least 21 people are so far believed to have died and dozens are missing. Officials said the death toll could rise.

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The nearest town is at least five hours away on foot when the weather is good, but getting to the site was taking much longer on Thursday because of rains and fog, home ministry official Laxmi Dhakal said as he spoke to press from Kathmandu.

Nepal's department of hydrology and meteorology told the BBC 130mm of rainfall had fallen in the area in the last 24 hours, and it would officially announce the start of monsoon season within the next two days.

Related: Earthquake in Nepal (Dispatch 1)

Landslides are common in mountainous Nepal during the rainy monsoon season, which began in June and ends in September.

The Himalayan nation is still recovering from the earthquakes in April and May that killed more than 8,700 people and caused massive damage, with many of the roads rendered unusable and inaccessible by landslides.

Meanwhile, the government announced on Thursday that it would hire international experts to study trekking routes in the mountains of Nepal to see if they were safe for hikers to return.

Nineteen people were killed and scores injured when an avalanche struck Mount Everest base camp, after it was triggered by the April 25 earthquake.

The trails around the Langtang valley in northern Nepal were also completely damaged, with an entire village being buried by a landslide that the earthquake set off.

Tens of thousands of foreigners come to Nepal every year to trek on the foothills of the Himalayan peaks. The next trekking season starts in September.

Related: 'The Ground You Think Is Solid Suddenly Gives Way': At Least 4,000 Dead in Nepal Earthquake Tragedy

The Associated Press contributed to this report.