Nepal Budhi Gandaki flash flood
A flash flood struck Nepal’s Budhi Gandaki river system at around 4 am local time on Sunday, sweeping away homes and bridges and damaging riverside infrastructure. Nepali authorities said nearly 50 people had been rescued and at least 10 people remained missing.
A landslide near Chumchet in Gorkha district may have created a temporary blockage in the river. The blockage may have later failed, triggering the flood. The possible cause remains under examination.
Floodwaters carried mud, sediment and debris downstream, damaging homes, bridges and other riverside infrastructure. A construction camp and equipment at the 341-MW Budhi Gandaki hydropower project in Salleri were also swept away. The full extent of the damage remains unclear.
Search and rescue operations are under way with assistance from security personnel. Evacuations and relocation efforts are also being carried out. Authorities issued alerts for communities along the Budhi Gandaki, Trishuli and Narayani river systems as water levels fluctuate and risks rise.
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development said the incident underscored the risks of cascading mountain hazards, in which one event can trigger another and amplify impacts on communities and infrastructure. ICIMOD Director General Pema Gyamtsho said, “While response efforts must remain the immediate priority, understanding what triggered this flood will be critical for reducing future risks and strengthening resilience.”
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