Hetauda, May 4 – A van carrying fish, which was suddenly swept underground in a landslide in Hetauda on Friday afternoon, remains missing even after three days of search efforts. The incident occurred in Gairigaun, near the border of Wards 16 and 17 of Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City, where the parked vehicle was buried when the ground beneath it collapsed.

The van, a single-cab Bolero (registration: Na 4 Cha 4833), had arrived at the site carrying a grass-cutting machine. According to DSP Shyamu Aryal, spokesperson for Makwanpur Police, the vehicle was parked when the front part of the road suddenly caved in. As locals attempted to pull it out, the entire section of the ground gave way, swallowing the van underground.

Aryal stated that after the vehicle disappeared, a large water-filled pit formed on the road. Fortunately, the driver and co-driver had exited the van just before the landslide and escaped unharmed. The van’s owner, Hareram Rai, who was also present, reported that the vehicle vanished within just five seconds of the collapse.

The area where the incident occurred has five fishponds and a borewell nearby. Authorities suspect that the borewell’s weakening effect on the soil may have contributed to the landslide.

Search Efforts Intensify
On Saturday, two water pumps were used to drain the area, but the van was not found. By Sunday, efforts shifted to emptying a nearby fishpond to make the search easier. Authorities believe that once the pond is fully drained, locating the van will become more feasible.

Geologists to Assess the Site
Meanwhile, Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City has decided to call in geologists to study the site before continuing the search. Deputy Mayor Rajesh Baniya informed that the Disaster Management Committee held an emergency meeting and resolved to seek expert analysis before taking further action.

Baniya clarified that no immediate conclusions could be drawn about the geographical conditions of the site without proper assessment. On Sunday afternoon, Deputy Mayor Baniya, along with Ward 16 Chairman Ram Krishna Koirala, visited the site to inspect the situation.

Authorities have assured that the sub-metropolis is on high alert to prevent further accidents, and municipal police have been deployed to monitor the area.

By: Shishir Timilsena