Flash Floods in Central Nepal Sweep Away Homes and Leave Five Missing After Landslide

Flash floods have struck central Nepal, sweeping away houses and leaving at least five people missing, according to officials. This disaster comes just weeks after devastating flooding in the country that killed hundreds.

A landslide in Chumnubri village in Gorkha district, located about 100km (62 miles) west of Kathmandu, blocked the Budhi Gandaki River on Saturday, triggering downstream flooding, authorities reported. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) stated that two women and three men are currently unaccounted for, though there are no immediate reports of casualties. At least 82 people, including nine foreigners, have been rescued from the affected areas.

The flood destroyed about a dozen houses and two suspension bridges, and damaged a hydroelectric project camp while carrying away construction equipment. A muddy torrent also washed away a highway bridge connecting Gorkha with the neighbouring Dhading district, according to NDRRMA Chief Executive Dharam Raj Uprety.

The Budhi Gandaki is a tributary of the Trishuli River, situated downstream from another tributary where an August glacier collapse caused a catastrophic flood that killed 1,457 people, leaving thousands still missing.

“We have asked villagers living along the riverbanks downstream to evacuate and remain safe,” said Dharmendra Kumar Mishra, Gorkha district’s most senior bureaucrat. National disaster authorities issued alerts for residents living along the river in Gorkha, Tanahun, Chitwan, East Nawalparasi, and West Nawalparasi districts.

“Please help ensure that people in at-risk areas are moved to safe locations in time and assist search and rescue operations as needed,” the NDRRMA urged in a social media post.

Officials confirmed that army and police rescue personnel have arrived at the scene and are actively monitoring the situation via helicopter.

“The flood looked similar... It was very scary, and it still feels like a nightmare for us,” said local official Laxmi Gurung of Chumnubri rural municipality. “Our house is gone, we have no electricity... but there have been no casualties.”

Heavy rainfall in late September also triggered severe floods and landslides, resulting in at least 21 deaths, the disaster agency reported.