A flash flood in the Budhi Gandaki river early Sunday has caused widespread damage in Chumnubri and Dharche rural municipalities in Gorkha district. The flood has swept away houses, bridges and infrastructure at a hydropower project, while inundating settlements and putting more homes at risk. Authorities are still assessing the damage and investigating the cause.

1. An estimated 35 to 40 houses swept away

Flash flooding in the Budhi Gandaki river on Sunday morning swept away an estimated 35 to 40 houses in Jagat Bagar, Salleri and Ghattikhola in Chumnubri Rural Municipality, according to the rural municipality’s administrative chief, Narayan Prasad Sapkota.

2. Several bridges destroyed

The flood swept away suspension footbridges connecting Nyakchet and Sirdibas, and Machhakhola and Kerauja. A motorable iron bridge at Soti linking wards 2 and 3 of Aarughat Rural Municipality was also destroyed, along with the bridge at Aarughat connecting Gorkha and Dhading districts. Home Minister Sudan Gurung also reported damage to a bridge linking Nyakchet and Philim Bazar.

3. People missing as rescue efforts intensify

As many as five people staying in a shed on the banks of the Ungilung river in Chumchet have been reported missing. Separately, four to five herders travelling from Sirdibas towards Chumling were also reported out of contact. The Nepali Army rescued six people by helicopter from Jagat, an area at risk of landslides. No deaths or injuries had been confirmed in the preliminary reports.

4. Hydropower project infrastructure damaged

Floodwaters swept away a construction camp and some equipment at the site of the 341-megawatt Budhi Gandaki hydropower project under construction in Salleri, Chumnubri-3. Several houses in Machhakhola were inundated, while around 20 to 22 houses in Salleri, Dharche-3, were reported to be at risk.

5. Landslide suspected as the cause, downstream areas on alert

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said a landslide near Chumchet may have blocked a tributary before the sudden release of water triggered the flood. The exact cause remains unconfirmed, although satellite images show a large landslide in the area. With river levels continuing to fluctuate, authorities have warned of a very high risk of flooding along the Trishuli corridor as far downstream as Benighat and urged residents around Mugling, Chitwan and Nawalparasi to remain alert.