DHAKA: A massive landslide in northeastern Nepal left at least seven people dead and dozens missing on Saturday, putting several villages at risk of flash floods due to debris blocking a major river.

Nepal officials said, reports The Straits Times.

The landslide struck in the early hours, burying two dozen homes before dumping mud and stones into the Sunkoshi river, northeast of the capital Kathmandu, an official in the prime minister’s office told media.

‘We are trying to find a way to release the blocked water safely,’ said Prakash Adhikari, press adviser to the prime minister.

Nepal’s government has declared the landslide-hit area a ‘flood crisis zone’ and ordered the army to use explosives to try to clear the river.

BDST: 1424 HRS, AUG 02, 2014