KATHMANDU: At least 17 houses in Nagpuje of Ghumthang and in Bhirkharka in ward no. 7 of Barhabise Municipality have been buried in a landslide that occurred on Saturday night.

According to Nawaraj Neupane, Inspector at the Area Police Office, Barhabise, the bodies of five people out of 26 missing in the mudslides have been retrived.

Personnel of Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Nepal Army and locals are continuing the rescue operation at the site, said Neupane, adding that the death toll could increase further.