Residents living along the Budhi Gandaki river in north central Nepal were forced to evacuate on Sunday due to flash flooding that ravaged homes and structures in the region. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority took action to evacuate villagers and advised others to relocate to safer areas while remaining vigilant until late Sunday. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
The cause of the flash flood in the Budhi Gandaki river, which meets the Trishuli river and is a significant waterway near Kathmandu, is currently under investigation by the disaster management agency. Videos circulating on social media depicted houses and sheds being carried away by the surging river amidst towering mountains, with the extent of impact on small villages in the hilly region yet to be fully determined. Notably, an evacuation was prompted in Arughat, a town along the river, following government warnings.
Nepal continues to recover from a catastrophic flood in August along the Nepal-China border, which resulted in over 1,400 fatalities and thousands missing. The office of Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah announced the conclusion of search and rescue operations for additional victims on Monday. The focus will now shift towards recovery efforts, including the restoration of roads and bridges severed by floods, especially in remote areas hindering aid distribution.
The government anticipates the reconstruction endeavors will amount to $4.77 billion, with nearly 33,000 individuals affected and approximately 7,500 homes damaged or destroyed in the aftermath of the flooding.
