KATHMANDU: A massive landslide on Saturday in Nepal’s northeast left at least eight people dead and dozens missing as officials worked to clear debris blocking a major river and avert the possibility of flash floods.

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, Prakash Adhikari, press adviser to the prime minister, said.

Police and army officials retrieved eight bodies and airlifted 34 people to safety, including 19 who suffered serious injuries.

“Dozens more are still missing, but it is impossible to find them in the dark,” government disaster management head Yadav Prasad Koirala said, adding searchers would resume work at daybreak.

Ten Nepalese and a 46-year-old Belgian national injured in the landslide were flown to Kathmandu for medical treatment, police said. Others were taken to a nearby hospital.

Bruised and bandaged patients, many still in shock, said they were jolted awake by the sound of water slamming into their homes.

Indra Lal Shrestha, who lost his daughter and grandson in the landslide, said: “There were four of us in the house, which was filled with thick muddy water.” “We were all screaming for help, but who was going to help us?” he asked.

When the debris settled, his house was gone. As doctors treated injuries at Kathmandu’s Teaching Hospital, patients recalled an initial thud and the terrifying sound of rocks smashing into the walls.

“There was a loud sound and then we were hit. I don’t remember anything after that,” said 27-year-old Amar Shrestha.

“When rescuers found me, my foot was stuck, no-one can imagine the amount of mud there,” he said. “I’ve lost everything.”Debris from the landslide created a 110-metre deep lake, measuring at least three kilometres by 300 metres, which flooded two power stations and a hydropower plant before workers partially cleared the blockage.

“We have been successful in allowing the water to flow slowly from the blocked area at its natural pace by carrying out small explosions,” disaster management official Koirala said.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2014