Rescue workers in Nepal are continuing to search for survivors of a landslide that destroyed two mountain villages on Monday.

At least 50 people are feared dead after landslides triggered by monsoon rains swept through the two villages in eastern Nepal.

Two people are said to have been pulled alive from the debris, after the landslides buried the villages of Dipsung and Sikundel in eastern Nepal.

The authorities said continuous heavy rain over the past three days has hampered rescue efforts.

Details of casualties are extremely difficult to verify as the area affected - Khotang district, 300 kilometres (187 miles) east of the capital, Kathmandu - is very remote.

However, the state RSS news agency said the death toll could be as high as 150.

Thirty-five houses were washed away by the landslides, a police officer told the Reuters news agency.

Independent radio reported that the villagers were asleep at the time. Four people were rescued from the debris, the radio said.

The RSS news agency reports that 120 soldiers and policemen have been mobilised for rescue work in the area.

Communications

One report said the villages affected are at least six hours by foot from Khotang, the nearest town.

Associated Press quoted one villager in the area as saying that communications had also been affected by attacks in recent months by Maoist rebels.

Landslides and flash floods caused by monsoon rains kill hundreds of people in Nepal every year.

Reports say these are the first major landslides in Nepal this year.

The rains began last month and are expected to last until September.