Buildings and other infrastructure have been swept away after a sudden flash flood surged through communities along Nepal’s Budhi Gandaki River, leaving at least five people missing and prompting evacuations across parts of the country.
The flooding struck Gorkha district in north-central Nepal on Sunday, October 11, after a landslide temporarily blocked the river near Chumchure village. When the blockage gave way, a powerful torrent carrying mud, rocks and debris rushed downstream, damaging homes, bridges and hydropower infrastructure.
Videos from the affected area showed muddy floodwaters moving rapidly through settlements and carrying away buildings and other structures along the river.
Five People Remain Missing
Nepalese authorities said at least five people — two women and three men — remained unaccounted for as rescue operations continued on Monday.
No deaths had been confirmed as of Monday, while emergency teams continued searching affected communities and downstream areas.
The Nepal Army has deployed helicopters and ground personnel to evacuate residents and deliver emergency supplies. Authorities said 95 people, including nine foreign nationals, had been rescued from areas affected by the flooding.
High winds temporarily disrupted helicopter operations on Monday, but authorities said flights would resume as conditions allowed.
Landslide Triggered the Sudden Flood
The flooding was not initially attributed to ordinary heavy rainfall.
Preliminary assessments indicate that a landslide in the mountainous Gorkha district blocked the river, creating a temporary natural dam. Water accumulated behind the blockage before the barrier failed, releasing a sudden surge downstream.
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) said its preliminary assessment pointed to the collapse of a landslide-dammed river near Chumchet as the likely trigger.
The resulting flood carried large amounts of mud, sediment and debris through the river corridor.
Houses and Bridges Destroyed
The flood caused extensive damage across several settlements.
Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) reported damage to two concrete bridges, two suspension bridges and a Bailey bridge, along with three hydropower projects and dozens of vehicles.
Local reports also said homes were swept away or inundated in Chumnubri and Dharche rural municipalities.
The Kathmandu Post reported that two suspension footbridges and a steel bridge were swept away, while several houses and other structures were damaged by the floodwaters.
The flooding also affected a hydropower construction camp, carrying away equipment and damaging infrastructure.
More Than 200 People Evacuated
Authorities had issued warnings to communities along the Budhi Gandaki River as the water level rose.
The NDRRMA sent emergency alerts to authorities in Gorkha, Dhading, Tanahun, Chitwan and the East and West Nawalparasi districts, while residents in vulnerable riverside areas were instructed to move to safer locations.
By Monday, more than 200 people had been evacuated, according to government officials cited by the Associated Press.
Early warnings appear to have helped many residents reach higher ground before the flood struck, limiting the loss of life despite the scale of the destruction.
Emergency Response Underway
Hundreds of security personnel have been mobilised for search-and-rescue and relief operations.
The NDRRMA said the number of deployed security personnel had risen to 703, including members of the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force. Four helicopters were also used in rescue operations.
Relief supplies, including food, medicine and other emergency materials, were being transported by road and helicopter to affected communities.
Government teams were also assessing damage to roads and bridges and examining options for restoring transport links to isolated settlements.
Trekkers and Foreign Tourists Also Affected
The affected region is popular with international trekkers, particularly those travelling along the Manaslu circuit.
Authorities said nine foreign nationals were among those rescued by the Nepal Army. The Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal estimated that about 150 foreign trekkers were in the wider area at the time of the flooding.
Officials have been working to identify people who may be stranded because roads and bridges have been damaged or washed away.
Nepal Still Recovering From Earlier Disaster
The latest flooding comes less than two months after another catastrophic flood disaster in Nepal.
On August 26, a mountain and glacier collapse near the Nepal-China border triggered devastating flooding that killed more than 1,400 people and left thousands missing.
The Budhi Gandaki is part of the same broader river system connected to the Trishuli River, meaning authorities are particularly concerned about communities downstream when sudden changes in river levels occur.
The latest disaster has renewed attention on the vulnerability of settlements and infrastructure built along steep Himalayan river valleys.
Authorities Continue Search and Relief Efforts
Search teams were continuing to look for the five people reported missing while government agencies assessed the full extent of the damage.
Officials have urged residents to remain in safe locations and avoid travelling on damaged roads and bridges.
With homes, bridges, hydropower facilities and other infrastructure affected, authorities are now facing the additional challenge of providing relief while restoring access to communities cut off by the flood.
The NDRRMA and other agencies are expected to continue updating the casualty and damage figures as rescue teams gain access to more affected areas.
