Nepal Flash Flood Sweeps Away Homes and Bridges
A powerful pre-dawn flash flood has devastated Nepal’s Manaslu trekking region, sweeping away dozens of homes, bridges and hydropower infrastructure while leaving at least five people missing and stranding foreign tourists in remote mountain settlements.
Flash Flood Hits Nepal’s Budhi Gandaki Region
The flood struck along the Budhi Gandaki River in Chumnubri, around 100km west of Kathmandu, after authorities suspected a landslide had temporarily blocked a tributary before the accumulated water and debris broke through.
Around 35 to 40 houses were destroyed or damaged, along with a primary school and several bridges connecting isolated communities.
Five people, including two women and three men, were reported missing, while several herders were also out of contact.
Bridges and Hydropower Infrastructure Destroyed
The flood damaged or swept away multiple bridges and severely affected construction infrastructure belonging to the 341MW Budhi Gandaki hydropower project.
Water levels at Arughat rose well above the danger mark before monitoring equipment was itself swept away.
Authorities subsequently issued evacuation warnings across several downstream districts, urging residents near the Trishuli and Narayani river systems to move away from riverbanks.
Foreign Tourists Stranded in Manaslu Region
The disaster struck during Nepal’s peak autumn trekking season, disrupting trails and suspension bridges across the popular Manaslu circuit.
More than 150 foreign tourists were reported stranded at locations including Jagat, Lokpa and Chhekampar, although authorities said they were safe.
The Nepal Army and emergency agencies have deployed rescue teams and helicopters, while early SMS alerts helped many residents move to higher ground before the flood reached downstream communities.
