Kathmandu, October 11
A devastating flood carrying black mud and debris has struck the Budhi Gandaki River in Gorkha, damaging bridges and market areas just a month and a half after the Rasuwagadhi–Bhote Koshi flood.
The full extent of the damage is yet to be determined. Home Minister Sudan Gurung, who was elected to Parliament from Gorkha, described the disaster as another devastating flood for Nepal.
Residents of northern Gorkha have told Onlinekhabar that they have never witnessed such a severe flood before.
The flood swept away part of the motorable bridge connecting Aarughat in Gorkha with Dhading. Videos shared on social media show one span of the bridge on the Gorkha side being washed away.
It also destroyed an old suspension bridge connecting Nyakchet and Sirdibas in Ward 3 of Chumnubri Rural Municipality, a suspension bridge linking Machhikhola in Ward 5 of Dharche Rural Municipality with Kerauja, and an iron concrete bridge at Soti connecting Wards 2 and 3 of Aarughat Rural Municipality.
Ice avalanche suspected as cause
The exact cause of the flood, which carried away large boulders, has not yet been established. However, officials suspect that an ice avalanche in the northern region may have triggered the disaster.
Dr Dharmaraj Upreti, executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), said preliminary information suggested that an ice avalanche may have sent snow, mud and other debris into the river, triggering the flood.
“This information was obtained through telephone contact with locals. However, the actual cause of the flood has not yet been confirmed,” he said.
Binod Parajuli, a senior hydrologist at the Flood Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, said there had been no recorded rainfall in the upper reaches of the Budhi Gandaki River. Therefore, the flood could not be attributed to rainfall based on the available records.
Four people missing, rescue efforts underway
According to NDRRMA, no human casualties had been confirmed at the time of reporting. However, the National News Agency (RSS) reported that four people had gone missing from the area along Ungilung Khola in Ward 6 of Chumnubri Rural Municipality.
A Nepali Army helicopter has been deployed from Kathmandu to the affected region. However, rescue operations have faced difficulties because conditions have not yet allowed the helicopter to land, NDRRMA said.
Nepal Police personnel have also been mobilised to evacuate settlements and move residents to safer locations.
Authorities have warned that the flood could affect areas extending from Gorkha and Dhading to Tanahun, Muglin and Chitwan, urging residents in potentially affected areas to remain alert.
