Floods in the Budhigandaki river last Sunday swept away more than 1,200 farm animals and poultry, including 81 pigs, 175 goats, 919 chickens, 43 ducks and five buffaloes, according to the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Services Centre in Gorkha.

The floods inundated sheds and livestock enclosures in settlements along the river in Chumnubri, Dharche and Arughat, killing or carrying away animals and birds. The disaster also destroyed 34 livestock sheds and 12 pig pens, said Prakash Adhikari, chief of the centre.

A buffalo swept away from Shantibazar in Arughat Rural Municipality-5 was rescued on October 13 in the Kumaltar area of Jwalamukhi Rural Municipality-5, about 30 kilometres downstream in neighbouring Dhading district. The buffalo has been returned to its owner.

Fifteen other animals trapped by the floods have also been rescued. Veterinary teams are treating rescued animals and livestock in affected areas, the centre said. Feed and medicines were sent to the affected areas on Thursday with support from Animal Nepal, a non-governmental organisation.

Teams including technicians from local governments’ veterinary service units have been deployed to rescue injured animals, provide emergency treatment, dispose of carcasses and maintain biosecurity, Adhikari said.

Authorities have urged local bodies to dispose of animals killed by the floods safely and scientifically, in line with the Department of Livestock Services’ guidelines issued on August 31 for managing flood-related animal deaths at the site.