NEW DELHI, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Indian rescue workers including contingents of army, disaster response force personnel and police on Monday resumed their search for more bodies in the debris of landslide that hit northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, officials said.
The landslide hit two passenger buses early Sunday in Urla village of Mandi district, about 177 km north of Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh.
According to officials, 46 bodies were pulled out from the debris of landslide that buried two buses, two cars and a motorbike. Part of a highway known as Pathankot-Mandi caved in pushing the buses into deep gorge and drifting boulders and rocks.
"The rescue operation was suspended last night and it has been resumed today morning," a local official said, "We fear there might be some more bodies."
The authorities have issued advisory in wake of fresh landslides between Mandi and Aut, urging people to remain alert while travelling on this highway.
Rescuers are using heavy earth-moving machinery, shovels and bare hands to remove rocks, searching for bodies that might be caught underneath.
Many houses were washed away in the rain and cloud bursts that hit the mountainous district Sunday night.
The local government has also announced a financial assistance of 7,795 U.S. dollars for the families that have lost their members in the accident.
Himachal Pradesh has a rugged terrain. Landslides are often triggered from its mountains during frequent rains.
