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Nepal Flash Floods Sweep Away 40 Houses in Gorkha District — AI-generated representative image: A flood-swollen river and damaged riverside homes in Nepal's mountainous Gorkha district, where flash floods swept away dozen

Editorial Team

Budhi Gandaki River flooding triggers evacuations and rescue operations in Chumnubri and Dharche

A flash flood in the Budhi Gandaki River early Sunday swept away around 40 houses and caused widespread damage across the Chumnubri and Dharche rural municipalities in central Nepal's Gorkha district, according to local newspaper The Kathmandu Post.

The flood also destroyed bridges and infrastructure at a hydropower project while inundating settlements and placing additional homes at risk, prompting an emergency response involving helicopters, security forces and local authorities.

The disaster underscores the vulnerability of riverside communities in Nepal's mountainous regions, where landslides and sudden water surges can rapidly escalate into destructive floods. With river levels continuing to rise, residents along the Budhi Gandaki River remain at immediate risk, making evacuation and warning efforts critical to preventing casualties.

Emergency Response Underway

Home Minister Sudan Gurung confirmed that the flood swept away the bridge linking Nyakchet and Philim Bazaar in Chumnubri-3, severing a key connection between riverside settlements.

Helicopters were deployed for rescue operations, relief distribution and evacuations as water levels kept rising. Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force and local authorities were also dispatched to carry out rescue and relief work.

Authorities used loudspeakers to warn people living along the river and urged them to move to safer locations as a precaution against further flooding.

Background of the Incident

The Budhi Gandaki River flows through the Gorkha district in central Nepal, a region characterized by steep terrain that is prone to landslides and flash floods, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall or sudden geological shifts. The Chumnubri and Dharche rural municipalities lie in the northern part of the district, where settlements are often built close to riverbanks.

Gorkha Chief District Officer Dharmendra Kumar Mishra said preliminary reports indicated that a landslide had occurred above Siuribas, which may have contributed to the sudden surge in the river. However, the full cause of the incident remains under investigation.

Official Statements and Initial Findings

Dharmendra Kumar Mishra, the Chief District Officer of Gorkha, stated that no casualties had been reported so far despite the scale of the destruction. He noted that preliminary reports pointed to a landslide above Siuribas as a likely trigger for the flood.

Officials emphasized that the full extent of the damage and the definitive cause of the incident are still being investigated. The destruction of houses, bridges and hydropower infrastructure indicates significant economic and logistical impact on the affected municipalities.

What Lies Ahead

Rescue and relief operations remain ongoing, with helicopters and security personnel continuing evacuation efforts as river levels remain elevated. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and using loudspeaker warnings to keep riverside residents informed.

Officials have not yet provided a complete damage assessment, and further details on casualties, displacement and infrastructure losses are awaited as investigations continue.