The Ugandan government said on Monday that it has called for international assistance to help retrieve bodies from a devastating mudslide that left about 350 people feared dead in the eastern district of Bududa. Musa Ecweru, minister of state for relief, disaster preparedness and refugees told reporters here that there is need to take earth-moving equipment to Nametsi village, which was buried by the March 1 mudslide. 'An appeal to our development partners and the United Nations to avail a heavy- duty helicopter that can airlift a medium size motorized buckle scooper to the site has been issued,' he said. He said government also plans to grade a temporary road to the site so that heavy earth-moving equipment can be taken there as search teams have retrieved 83 bodies using hand tools like hoes and sticks. The area, which is on the foot of Mountain Elgon, can only be accessed by helicopter or on foot for about ten kilometer uphill walk. Ecweru said the search for bodies will continue though health experts have warned of health and safety risks for the search teams as the bodies have started decomposing and following landslide could occur amid continuing rains. The government, however, will take precautions to make an assessment before making a decision on the next move, including a temporary suspension until no major risks pose serious threats to the search teams, he said. According to a government forecast, near normal to above normal rainfall in most parts of western, central, eastern Uganda and Lake Victoria basin is expected before the current rainy season ends in May, raising concerns of more landslides and floods across the country. Experts have warned that global climate change has been changing the rainfall pattern in the East African country from regular and moderate to more unexpected and extreme. 