Ilam- At least 18 people have died in Ilam district after continuous rainfall since Saturday night triggered floods and landslides, according to the Koshi Province Police Office.

Police said that the deaths occurred in different parts of the district. The highest number of casualties, five, were reported in Manebhanjyang. Four bodies were recovered from the site, and one more was found later during the search.

He added that rescue operations were carried out jointly by Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and India’s Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), as the affected areas are close to the Nepal–India border. The identities of the 18 deceased have not yet been confirmed.

According to the Koshi Province Police Office, the fatalities include five people in Manebhanjyang of Suryodaya Municipality-1, three in Patigaun of Mangsebung Rural Municipality-1, one in Dhare of Deumai Municipality-5, two in Dhusune of Deumai Municipality-5, one in Ratmate of Phakphokthum Rural Municipality-3, and six in Ghosgaun of Ilam Municipality-5.

Further details are yet to come, police said.