Nepal Floods Trap Over 100 Foreign Trekkers in Gorkha; Bridges Washed Away

More than 100 foreign trekkers are currently stranded in central Nepal following flash floods that devastated the Gorkha district. The deluge, which occurred on Sunday, swept away crucial bridges and hiking trails, leaving trekkers unable to proceed or return.

Bhuwan Raj Ojha, an official with the Manaslu Conservation Area Project, informed Reuters on Monday that the trekkers are stuck in various locations along the popular Manaslu trekking route. "Those hikers who want to return because of the flood need to be rescued. Those who ⁠want to continue their trekking can do so from locations that are safe," Ojha stated, adding that "restaurants and tea houses along the route. They are ⁠safe".

The flash floods were triggered by a dry landslide that occurred before dawn on Sunday. The landslide blocked the Budhi Gandaki River in the Gorkha district, located approximately 100km west of Nepal's capital, Kathmandu. By Monday, authorities had successfully rescued 321 people, including 12 foreigners. The army has confirmed that rescue operations are set to continue on Tuesday, even as the river's water level begins to recede.

The Budhi Gandaki River is a tributary of the Trishuli River. This incident follows a catastrophic flood in August, caused by a glacier collapse in another tributary, which resulted in 1,457 deaths and thousands still missing.

While no fatalities have been reported in the latest flood, five villagers are currently unaccounted for. The black muddy sludge and debris from the flood destroyed over 200 homes and damaged significant infrastructure, including three hydroelectric plants, according to national disaster authorities.

Local authorities in the Gorkha district have issued evacuation orders for villagers residing along the downstream riverbanks. National disaster authorities have also alerted residents in the Gorkha, Tanahun, Chitwan, East Nawalparasi, and West Nawalparasi districts about the ongoing flood risks.

Md Shahadat Hossain, a Bangladeshi trekker stranded in Jagat village, shared his experience with the Anadolu news agency. He reported that nine Bangladeshis are awaiting potential helicopter evacuation. "We have been stranded in Jagat since yesterday. A flash flood came down from above the village and flowed through its lower part," Hossain said. He further noted, "We are safe, but there has been no electricity since yesterday, communication with the outside world has been disrupted, and food supplies are gradually running short.".