Nepal flash floods sweep away at least 40 houses in Gorkha, four reported missing

A massive flash flood in Nepal's Budhi Gandaki River swept away at least 40 houses across five settlements in Gorkha district early Sunday, damaging bridges and other infrastructure and forcing residents along the riverbanks to evacuate. Four people have been reported missing, while authorities continue to assess the extent of the destruction.

The flooding began around 4 am in Chumnubri Rural Municipality, reportedly after a landslide blocked a stream upstream. Officials suspect the temporary blockage subsequently gave way, sending a surge of water, mud and debris downstream. However, the exact cause of the sudden flooding has yet to be confirmed.

“At least 40 houses in five different settlements have been swept away in the flood,” Laxmi Gurung, vice-chairperson of Chumnubri Rural Municipality, told Xinhua.

Four people staying in a shed along the Ungilung River in Chumchet, Chumnubri Rural Municipality-6, were reported missing. No deaths have been confirmed so far.

Houses, bridges and hydropower project damaged

Preliminary assessments indicate that floodwaters swept away houses in Paiyun, Jagat, Bagar, Salleri and Ghattikhola. Residential buildings and temporary structures were also damaged in parts of Sirdibas and Dharche rural municipalities.

Several bridges were destroyed, disrupting connectivity between settlements. These include suspension footbridges linking Nyakchet with Sirdibas and Philim Bazaar, and another connecting Machhakhola and Kerauja.

A motorable iron bridge at Soti, connecting Wards 2 and 3 of Aarughat Rural Municipality, was also washed away. The swollen river further destroyed a bridge at Arughat connecting Gorkha and Dhading districts.

Floodwaters also swept away a construction camp and equipment at the 341-megawatt Budhi Gandaki hydropower project under construction in Salleri.

Around 20 to 22 houses in Salleri, Dharche Rural Municipality-3, were reportedly at risk, while preliminary reports indicated inundation in parts of lower Machhakhola.

Authorities issue flood warnings, evacuate residents

Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) issued an SMS alert at 6:40 am, warning people living along the Budhi Gandaki River, including downstream areas up to Trishuli Dobhan, to avoid approaching the river and “stay in high places”.

In a subsequent warning, the authority said water levels at Arughat had crossed the danger mark and continued to rise.

Police and local officials used loudspeakers to urge residents of vulnerable settlements, including Khorlabensi, Machhakhola, Soti, Arkhet and Arughat, to move to safer locations.

Gorkha Chief District Officer Dharmendra Kumar Mishra said authorities initially received reports of a major flood at 4:35 am, with preliminary information pointing to a landslide above Sirdibas.

Officials are continuing to gather updates from the affected areas, while rescue personnel, including teams dispatched from Kathmandu, have reached the region to assess the damage and assist residents.

Separately, an official reported that 40 people were missing following another flood-related incident involving Nepal's Kaligandaki River. Further details about that incident were not immediately available.