By Prem Raj Simkhada, Kalikot, Aug. 30: As many as 12 persosn have been feared buried when landslides damaged five houses at Tilagupha Municipality-1 in Kalikot district due to rainfall last night.

Locals said that houses of Lali Nepali, Mandir Katuwal, Dhanpati Bk and Bir Bherikar were hit by the landslides.

Dead body of a 5-year old child, Nirajan Shahi, has been recovered from the incident site.

Mahendra Bahadur Shahi, a leader of Nepal Communist Party (NCP), said that all the 12 persons may have been buried inside the houses pulled down by the landslides.

He said two persons were rescued and sent to Karnali Academy of Health Sciences for treatment.

Detailed reports are awaited due to the dysfunctioning of means of communication in the affected area including Nagma.

Shyam Babu Oliya, Chief of the Kalikot District Police Office, said that as even the police communication set did not work, a team led by police inspector Yakshya Raj Joshi was sent to the incident site.

He said Arjun Hamal and Punne Shahi were rescued and search operations for others were going on.

As the landslides came down from the hilly slopes above the Karnali Highway, the highway has also been obstructed.