A significant landslide has blocked the Budhi Gandaki River in Nepal's Gorkha district, triggering flash floods that have caused widespread destruction and prompted urgent evacuation orders. The incident, which occurred in the Chumnubri village, approximately 100 kilometers west of Kathmandu, has led to floodwaters inundating downstream areas.
Extensive Damage and Evacuation Orders
Officials confirmed that the dry landslide initially blocked the river, leading to a rapid surge of water. This powerful surge has already swept away approximately a dozen houses and two vital suspension bridges. A camp associated with a local hydroelectric project also sustained considerable damage. Videos circulating on social media depict muddy, raging floodwaters engulfing mountainous regions, carrying away structures and prompting residents to flee riverside settlements.
Authorities have issued stern warnings to communities situated along the Budhi Gandaki River in Gorkha, Tanahun, Chitwan, East Nawalparasi, and West Nawalparasi districts, urging them to evacuate to safer locations immediately. Dharmendra Kumar Mishra, Gorkha district's senior bureaucrat, confirmed the evacuation directives, emphasizing the critical need for safety.
Rescue Efforts Underway
Despite the extensive damage, no casualties have been reported so far, according to officials. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported that the river, laden with mud and debris, continued to rise, washing away a highway bridge that connected Gorkha with the neighboring Dhading district.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah announced via social media that the army successfully rescued six individuals from Jagat, a community facing imminent landslide risks. Additionally, 18 workers from the affected hydroelectric project camp managed to escape to safety. Army and police rescue teams have been deployed to the affected area and are conducting monitoring operations from helicopters to assess the situation.
Broader Context of River Systems
The Budhi Gandaki River is a key tributary of the Trishuli River, an important waterway in Nepal. The region has experienced severe flooding in recent months; in August, a glacier collapse in another downstream tributary of the Trishuli tragically resulted in 1,457 fatalities, with thousands more still unaccounted for. This latest incident underscores the ongoing vulnerability of Nepal's mountainous regions to natural disasters.