A sudden and powerful flood has struck Nepal’s Gorkha district, sweeping away homes and bridges, damaging local infrastructure and forcing residents to flee as authorities warn of continuing danger along the Budhi Gandaki River.
The flood struck early on Sunday after a landslide blocked the river in Chumnubri Rural Municipality in northern Gorkha. The sudden surge of water, mud and debris then rushed downstream, threatening settlements and disrupting transport links in the mountainous region.
Local media reported that as many as 35 houses were swept away in the villages of Paiyu and Bagar. Three bridges were also reported destroyed, leaving communities facing fresh challenges in reaching neighbouring settlements and accessing essential services.
Four people were reported missing after floodwaters swept away livestock sheds along the Ungilung Khola, where they had been staying to look after animals. Fifteen yaks and female yaks were also reportedly lost in the flooding. Rescue teams and local authorities were working to establish the full extent of the damage.
The disaster management authorities have urged people living near the river to move to higher ground and avoid vulnerable riverbanks. Warnings have extended to communities downstream, including areas around Machhakhola, Soti and Arughat, as officials monitor the changing river conditions.
The flooding has also raised concerns about damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges and a hydropower project. In remote mountain communities, where transport connections are already limited, the destruction of bridges can delay rescue operations and complicate the delivery of emergency supplies.
The latest disaster comes as Nepal continues to grapple with the devastating consequences of earlier flooding. A catastrophic flood in August killed more than 1,400 people, with thousands more reported missing, leaving families displaced and communities struggling to recover.
The renewed flooding in Gorkha highlights the vulnerability of Nepal’s mountain settlements to sudden river surges and landslides. When a landslide blocks a river, water can accumulate behind the debris before breaking through and rushing downstream with little warning.
As rescue efforts continue, the immediate priority is to locate missing people, move residents away from danger and assess the destruction. For families in the affected villages, the flood has brought another frightening reminder that recovery remains fragile when disaster strikes again before communities have had time to rebuild.
+ There are no comments
Add yours