Severe Flash Floods Devastate Nepal's Gorkha District

Flash Floods Cause Widespread Destruction

Kathmandu, Oct 11: A sudden flash flood in the Budhi Gandaki River has resulted in the destruction of over 35 homes and bridges, along with significant damage to a hydropower facility in Gorkha district, Nepal, on Sunday.

The floodwaters swept through areas including Salleri, Paiyuka, and the riverbed at Jagat, as reported by Ram Kumar Gurung, the ward chair of Chumnubri Rural Municipality-3.

Initial reports indicate that approximately three dozen houses were lost in Chumnubri Rural Municipality, according to Sharma.

Laxmi Gurung, Deputy Chair of Chumnubri Rural Municipality, remarked that the flood's impact was reminiscent of the Bhotekoshi flood in Rasuwa, as noted by the Online Khabar news portal.

"The Budhigandaki flood is similar to the Bhotekoshi flood," she stated. "It has destroyed numerous homes, but we cannot yet determine the full extent of the damage."

The flood struck around 4 AM, forcing residents to evacuate to safer areas. Laxmi reported that the market in Chumanubri Rural Municipality-3 suffered considerable damage due to the floodwaters.

Home Minister Sudan Gurung confirmed that the flood also destroyed the bridge connecting Nyakchet and Philim bazaar in Chumnubri-3.

As the river levels continued to rise, helicopters were dispatched for rescue operations, relief efforts, and evacuations.

Local authorities, including Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force, were mobilized to assist with rescue and relief operations.

"The flood hit early in the morning, and we couldn't save our belongings," Ram Kumar recounted. "Everyone fled as soon as we learned of the impending flood." The full scope of the damage remains unknown.

Sherap Gurung, a Lokpa resident, noted that the sound of the water indicated it had repeatedly stopped and started flowing again.

"It was dark, so we couldn't tell if the stream was blocked or if a landslide had occurred. There was no rain either," he explained.

Authorities utilized loudspeakers to alert residents along the river and advised them to relocate to safer areas.

Netra Prasad Sharma, Assistant Chief District Officer of Gorkha District Administration, urged riverside residents to remain vigilant and move to safety.

So far, no casualties have been reported, according to Dharmendra Kumar Mishra, Gorkha's chief district officer.

The cause of the sudden flood surge is still uncertain. Residents suspect that the Syar stream, a tributary of the Budhi Gandaki between Lokpa and Chumling in Chumnubri-6, may have been obstructed, leading to the flood.

This flooding incident follows a devastating event that struck the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa district on August 26, which resulted in 1,455 fatalities and left 5,285 individuals missing, as reported by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).