Flash flood in Nepal's Gorkha sweeps away homes and bridges on Budhi Gandaki river

A sudden flood in the Budhi Gandaki river, which flows through the northern part of Nepal's Gorkha district, has submerged several riverside settlements. The flood has spread considerable fear among local residents and tourists, and many people have had to take shelter in safe places.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has issued a stern warning. It said no one should go to the riverside areas up to Trishuli Dobhan until the floodwater has fully receded, and that people should move to higher, safe ground as quickly as possible. In a post on X, the authority wrote that a big flood was coming down the Budhi Gandaki from Chumanubri Rural Municipality-6. Local administration and security agencies are keeping a constant watch on the situation.

According to preliminary information from Gorkha Chief District Officer Dharmendra Kumar Mishra, there is no official record so far of any loss of life in the disaster, which is a relief. However, there has been heavy damage in the Chumanubri and Dharche rural municipality areas near the Chinese border. Several houses, suspension bridges and an important steel bridge in the villages of Jagat and Salleri were swept away by the force of the flood. The construction camp of the 341-megawatt Budhi Gandaki hydropower project was also washed away.

According to local residents, people ran for their lives when they suddenly heard the sound of water at night. The flood was so fast that everything was destroyed within seconds. The initial assessment is that a major landslide between Lokpa and Chumling may have blocked the flow of the Siyar Khola, a tributary of the Budhi Gandaki, for some time, and the sudden release of a huge volume of water caused the destruction.

Rescue work has begun. Nepal Army units have been deployed for search and rescue by air and on the ground. Six people have been rescued by air from the landslide-prone Jagat area. The Composite Quick Reaction Team based in Kathmandu has also been flown into the area. Nepal Army helicopters have been used to evacuate people from remote areas cut off by landslides and flooding.

The latest incident has revived frightening memories of the devastating floods and landslides in the Rasuwa and Trishuli river area a few months ago, which affected thousands of people. The administration is therefore more cautious this time. It has appealed to people not to believe rumours, to stay alert, and to remain in touch with the administration for emergency help.