KATHMANDU, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Five people including four women have remained missing after they were buried in an avalanche on Tuesday afternoon in Darchula district in far-western Nepal, a local official said.
Initially as many as 12 people were reported missing after the avalanche struck at 14:45 local time, but seven made contact with the local administration later.
"Five people are still missing. We're still unaware about their whereabouts. A team of rescuers have reached the incident site," Kiran Joshi, the chief district officer, told Xinhua.
The rescue operation has been affected by rainfall and snowfall, she said, adding, "We're planning to send a helicopter for the rescue operation tomorrow if the weather improves."
The locals were collecting yarsagumba, a caterpillar fungus, when they were struck by the avalanche, the official noted. ■
