Kathmandu, Oct 12
A devastating flash flood along Nepal’s Budhi Gandaki River has swept away dozens of houses and several bridges in the northern Gorkha district, forcing residents and tourists to flee to safer locations and prompting emergency rescue operations.
The flooding occurred early on Sunday after a landslide reportedly blocked the river’s flow before the accumulated water surged through nearby settlements. Several villages in the Chumnubri and Dharche rural municipalities were affected, with preliminary estimates indicating that around 35 to 40 houses were swept away. At least five people were reported missing as rescue efforts continued.
Two suspension footbridges and a steel bridge were also reportedly destroyed, while a hydropower construction site and electricity and communication infrastructure suffered damage. The loss of bridges has complicated access to affected settlements and created additional challenges for emergency teams.
The Nepal Army deployed personnel by air and land to assist with evacuations and rescue operations. Helicopters were used to reach people in vulnerable locations, while authorities issued warnings urging residents to move away from riverbanks and other high-risk areas.
Officials are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage and determine the precise sequence of events that led to the flooding. The suspected landslide and sudden release of water highlight the risks posed by unstable terrain and river blockages in Nepal’s mountainous regions.
The disaster has disrupted local transport and communications and raised concerns over the safety of settlements located close to rivers. Authorities are expected to focus on locating missing people, providing assistance to displaced families and restoring access to affected communities.