Kathmandu, October 11
A sudden flood carrying black mud and debris has caused extensive damage along the Budhi Gandaki River in Gorkha, sweeping away bridges, houses and parts of a hydropower project.
The full extent of the damage is yet to be determined. Preliminary reports say a mud house belonging to Ram Bahadur Gurung in Sirdibas, Ward 3 of Chumnubri Rural Municipality, was swept away, while floodwater entered another house.
A suspension bridge connecting Machhikhola in Ward 5 of Dharche Rural Municipality with Kerauja was also swept away. Floodwater entered the lower settlement of Machhikhola.
The flood destroyed an iron concrete bridge at Soti connecting Wards 2 and 3 of Aarughat Rural Municipality. It also swept away the under-construction Sahaj Urja powerhouse in Salleri, Ward 3 of Chumnubri, along with seven or eight houses in the surrounding area.
The flood also washed away one of the three sections of the motorable bridge connecting Aarughat in Gorkha with Dhading at Nayapul in Ward 9 of Aarughat Rural Municipality, completely blocking the road.
Meanwhile, around 20 to 22 houses in Salleri, Ward 3 of Dharche Rural Municipality, are reportedly at risk.
Cause of flood remains unclear
The cause of the flood has not yet been established. Binod Parajuli, a senior hydrologist at the Flood Forecasting Division under the Centre for Hydrology and Water Resources Research, said there had been no recorded rainfall in the upper reaches of the Budhi Gandaki River.
Authorities suspect that a landslide may have temporarily blocked the river before releasing a sudden surge of water, or that an ice avalanche may have triggered the flood.
“The flood appears to have originated in the Himalayan region above human settlements,” Parajuli said. “We are investigating the overall cause, including whether the river was blocked by a landslide or whether the flood originated in the Himalayan region.”
A Nepali Army helicopter has been deployed from Kathmandu to the affected areas. 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.
