Flash Flood in Nepal’s Budhi Gandaki River Sweeps Away Homes, Bridges and Hydel Project Camp

A flash flood in Nepal’s Budhi Gandaki River swept away dozens of houses, three bridges and a construction camp belonging to a hydropower project in Gorkha district on Sunday, October 11. The sudden surge of water and debris prompted authorities to warn residents along the river to evacuate to safer areas.

No casualties had been reported as of Sunday morning, while officials continued to assess the damage across the affected settlements.

Landslide Suspected Behind Sudden Flood

The flash flood is suspected to have followed a landslide in Chumnubri Rural Municipality-6, which may have blocked the Syar Khola, a tributary of the Budhi Gandaki River. The sudden release of water and debris is believed to have triggered the powerful surge downstream.

Residents reported hearing loud roaring sounds from the river and nearby streams from around 4 am. As floodwaters rushed towards their settlements, people began leaving their homes and moving to higher ground.

Officials were investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, and the precise cause had not been confirmed by Sunday morning.

Dozens of Houses and Three Bridges Destroyed

The flooding caused extensive damage in northern Gorkha, particularly in Chumnubri and Dharche rural municipalities. Local officials reported that more than 35 houses had been swept away in several locations, including Salleri, Bagar and Ghattikhola.

Three bridges were also destroyed, disrupting connections between settlements. The damaged structures included two suspension footbridges and a motorable steel bridge.

The affected crossings connected areas including Nyakchet and Sirdibas, as well as Machhakhola and Kerauja. The steel bridge at Soti, which linked two wards of Aarughat Rural Municipality, was also swept away by the surging water.

In Machhakhola, floodwaters entered houses and temporary structures, raising concerns about further damage if river levels continued to fluctuate. Around 20 to 22 houses in Salleri were reported to be at risk, while residents in other riverside settlements faced the threat of additional flooding.

Budhi Gandaki Hydropower Project Camp Swept Away

The flood also struck the construction site of the 341-megawatt Budhi Gandaki Hydropower Project in Salleri, sweeping away its construction camp and some equipment.

The damage is expected to disrupt activities at the site, although the full extent of the losses had not been established by Sunday morning.

The destruction of nearby bridges could also complicate access to affected communities and hamper the movement of emergency personnel and supplies. Officials were gathering information from the affected areas to determine the scale of the damage.

Authorities Warn Residents to Evacuate

Local authorities and police used loudspeakers to warn people living along the Budhi Gandaki River to move to safer locations. Residents and tourists in vulnerable settlements fled towards higher ground as the flood threat spread.

Authorities also warned communities along the Budhi Gandaki and downstream towards the Trishuli confluence to remain alert. Residents were advised to stay away from riverbanks and avoid unnecessary movement near the water until conditions improved.

Police and emergency personnel were deployed to assist with evacuations and assess the situation. Officials continued to monitor the river and the condition of settlements exposed to further flooding.

Fresh Flood Threat Raises Concerns in Nepal

The latest incident has renewed concerns about flood risks in Nepal’s mountainous regions, where landslides, sudden changes in river levels and heavy rainfall can threaten settlements and critical infrastructure.

The country has faced repeated disasters in recent months, with flooding and landslides damaging homes, roads, bridges and hydropower facilities in several areas. Remote mountain communities are particularly vulnerable when key crossings are destroyed, leaving residents with limited access to essential services and emergency assistance.

In Gorkha, authorities are continuing to assess the damage caused by the Budhi Gandaki flood. The immediate priority remains the safety of residents, particularly those living close to the river and in areas vulnerable to further surges.