At least 129 people have died in floods and landslides in Nepal

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Rescuers in Nepal have recovered dozens of bodies from buses and other vehicles buried in landslides near the capital Kathmandu, as the death toll from floods rose to at least 129 and dozens were missing, officials said on Sunday.

The weather improved on Sunday after three days of monsoon rains, and rescue and cleanup efforts were underway. Kathmandu remained cut off on Sunday as three highways outside the city were blocked by landslides.

Rescuers recovered 14 bodies from two buses heading to Kathmandu overnight when a landslide buried them. Another 23 bodies were recovered from vehicles on Sunday at the same site, about 16 kilometers (10 miles) from Kathmandu, and workers searched for others who may have been buried.

According to a statement from the Nepalese police, another 86 people were injured in the floods and landslides and 62 are missing. The death toll was expected to rise as reports came in from villages across the mountainous country.

Residents in the southern part of Kathmandu, which was flooded on Saturday, were clearing out houses as water levels began to recede. At least 34 people died in Kathmandu, which was hardest hit by the floods.

Police and soldiers helped with rescue efforts while heavy equipment was used to clear landslides from the streets. The government announced that it would close schools and colleges across Nepal for the next three days.

The monsoon season began in June and usually ends in mid-September.