Kathmandu (Nepal): A sudden flash flood in Nepal’s Budhi Gandaki River has caused extensive damage in Gorkha district, sweeping away bridges and houses and forcing authorities to issue urgent warnings to residents living along the river.
The flood struck early on Sunday, October 11, after a landslide reportedly blocked the river’s flow in Chumnubri Rural Municipality-6. The sudden release of the accumulated water sent a powerful surge downstream, damaging settlements and infrastructure across several areas.
Three bridges, including two suspension bridges and a steel bridge, were reported washed away in the initial police account. Subsequent reports indicated damage to additional infrastructure, including the bridge connecting Gorkha and Dhading. More than 35 houses were reported destroyed in some affected settlements, although the full extent of the damage remains under assessment.
Rescue operations are underway, and authorities have urged people living near the river to move to safer, higher ground as water levels continue to fluctuate.
What Caused The Sudden Flood In Nepal?
According to Nepal Police, a landslide between Lokpa and Chumling in Chumnubri-6 obstructed the river’s flow. The resulting buildup of water was followed by a sudden surge that inundated settlements downstream.
The flood affected areas across Chumnubri and Dharche rural municipalities. Reports from the region described damage to houses, bridges, roads and infrastructure associated with a hydropower project under construction.
The exact extent of the damage and the full sequence of events are still being assessed by local authorities.
Which Bridges And Areas Were Affected?
The initial police account identified three bridges that were swept away:
- Nyakchet–Sirdibas suspension bridge: An old footbridge connecting the two settlements in Chumnubri-3 was destroyed.
- Machhakhola–Kerauja suspension bridge: Another suspension bridge linking the settlements in Dharche-5 was washed away.
- Soti bridge: A steel bridge connecting wards 2 and 3 of Aarughat Rural Municipality was also swept away.
The flood also damaged the bridge connecting Gorkha and Dhading at Aarughat, according to subsequent reports.
In Machhakhola’s lower settlement, floodwater entered around five to seven houses. Between 20 and 22 houses in Salleri, Dharche-3, were reported to be at risk.
Other reports from the affected region indicated that dozens of houses had been swept away, highlighting the scale of destruction along the river corridor.
Have Any People Been Reported Missing?
Several people were reported missing or unaccounted for as rescue operations continued on Sunday. Early reports differed on the number, with some accounts identifying four missing people and others reporting up to five.
The Nepali Army and other emergency teams have been deployed for rescue and evacuation operations. Authorities are continuing to assess the situation and identify people who may have been caught in the flood.
The full casualty and damage figures remain subject to official updates.
What Warning Has Nepal Issued To Residents?
Nepal’s disaster management authorities have urged residents to stay away from the Budhi Gandaki River and its banks, particularly downstream towards Trishuli Dobhan.
People living in vulnerable areas have been advised to move to higher ground and remain there until the flood risk subsides. Authorities have also issued alerts for downstream areas as officials monitor river levels and the possibility of further surges.
The warnings are especially important for settlements close to the river, where damaged bridges, unstable slopes and rapidly changing water levels could create additional hazards.
How Does The Flood Compare With Nepal’s August Disaster?
The latest flooding comes weeks after a devastating flood disaster in Nepal in August, when flooding near the Nepal-China border caused widespread loss of life and severe damage to infrastructure.
That disaster affected roads, bridges and hydropower projects, while also disrupting transport links in several districts. The scale of the damage highlighted the vulnerability of Nepal’s mountainous terrain to sudden floods and landslides.
The new emergency in Gorkha has again raised concerns about the safety of communities living along Himalayan river systems, particularly when landslides obstruct watercourses and create the risk of sudden downstream flooding.
