Budhi Gandaki Flood Leaves Widespread Destruction
Sabika Shrestha
Flash floods in Chumnubri Rural Municipality in northern Gorkha district have caused extensive damage to homes, bridges and infrastructure. The flooding has swept away dozens of houses, suspension bridges, a motorable bridge and structures belonging to hydropower projects under construction.
Despite the extensive damage to physical infrastructure, no human casualties had been reported at the time of the initial assessment, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.
Security personnel have been deployed after a sudden surge of muddy floodwaters raised concerns about downstream communities. Residents living along riverbanks have been urged to remain alert and take necessary precautions.
The flood has caused significant damage in Paiyu, Bagar, Jagat, Salleri, Dobhan and Ghattikhola, among other areas. Preliminary reports suggest that more than 20 to 30 houses have been swept away.
The flood has also destroyed a suspension bridge in Dharche and a motorable bridge connecting Aarughat in Gorkha with Dhading district, disrupting road connectivity in the Aarughat area.
Structures belonging to Times Energy’s camp and Sahas Urja have also sustained damage. Authorities are still collecting details to determine the full extent of the destruction in settlements, market areas and hydropower project sites.
The nature and force of the flood have further heightened the risk. Preliminary assessments suggest that a landslide may have blocked the river, causing the water level to rise suddenly.
According to Binod Parajuli, chief of the Flood Forecasting Division, three waves of flooding occurred between the early morning hours and 8:30 am on Sunday. During the final surge, the river level rose eight and a half metres above the alert level.
The flood also swept away a bridge and a hydrological monitoring station during the same period, officials said.
Meanwhile, meteorologists say the area had not experienced heavy rainfall over the preceding two to three days. According to Dr. Archana Shrestha, Director General of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, around 15 millimetres of rainfall was recorded within a short period of approximately 10 minutes.
Preliminary assessments suggest that a landslide may have blocked the river, triggering the sudden flooding.
Authorities have initiated immediate rescue and precautionary measures to prevent loss of life.
The Nepali Army and Nepal Police have been deployed to the affected areas. The army is conducting reconnaissance of high-risk locations, while rescue operations are being carried out wherever necessary, according to the disaster management authority.
In view of the damage in Gorkha and Dhading, the relevant agencies are also working to protect residents in downstream areas. People living along the river in areas extending through Tanahun and Muglin to Devghat in Chitwan have been alerted to the potential danger.
According to the authority, areas including Sirdibas, Jagat, Yari, Tatopani, Machhikhola, Soti, Arukhet and Aarughat still remain at risk of flooding.
With the possibility of a further rise in river levels, residents have been urged to remain vigilant until the evening and follow instructions issued by the authorities.
Despite the widespread destruction of physical infrastructure, the authority said no human casualties had been reported at the time of the initial assessment.
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