Rescue teams from Nepal’s military successfully reached an area affected by a sudden flood the day before. Helicopters and soldiers delivered essential supplies to the region along the Budhi Gandaki River in north central Nepal, beginning the evacuation of residents and tourists. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported, with five individuals currently missing. The government’s timely warning enabled most people to seek higher ground before the floodwaters struck.
The flash flood on Sunday resulted from a landslide that initially obstructed the river near the village of Chumchure. It caused significant damage, including the destruction of five bridges, disruption to construction sites for three hydropower plants, and the loss of numerous houses and farms. According to Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, 95 individuals, including nine foreigners, have been relocated to nearby towns.
The affected area encompasses popular trekking routes that attract hikers, with October being a peak season for visitors. Relief efforts are underway, with trucks transporting supplies like food, tents, and medicine to accessible regions by road, and military helicopters delivering aid to remote mountain villages.
The Budhi Gandaki River converges with the Trishuli River and serves as a vital waterway near Kathmandu, the capital. Social media videos depict homes and structures being swept away by the surging river amid towering mountains, though the full extent of impact on the region’s small villages remains unclear. Nepal continues to recover from a catastrophic flood in August along the Nepal-China border, which claimed over 1,400 lives and left thousands missing.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s office announced the conclusion of search and rescue operations on October 5, shifting focus to infrastructure repair as part of ongoing recovery efforts.
