A landslide triggered by heavy rainfall has killed at least 21 people and left dozens missing in six villages in Nepal.

Rescuers dug out the bodies and searched the rubble for survivors in Taplejung district, about 310 miles east of the capital, Kathmandu.

At least 24 people are missing but the number could be higher.

The weather improved, allowing a rescue helicopter to reach the area and evacuate eight injured people.

The nearest town is at least five hours' away on foot when the weather is good, but getting to the site was taking much longer for rescuers on Thursday because of rains and fog. There are no government offices or police stations in the area.

Landslides are common in mountainous Nepal during the rainy monsoon season, which began in June and ends in September.

The Himalayan nation is still recovering from earthquakes in April and May that killed more than 8,700 people and caused massive damage, with many of the roads cut off by landslides.

Meanwhile, the government has announced it will hire international experts to study trekking routes in the mountains of Nepal to see if they are safe for hikers to return.

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