Flash Floods Sweep Away Homes and Bridges in Nepal

Flash floods swept through Nepal's Gorkha district after a landslide blocked the Budhi Gandaki River, destroying homes and bridges and forcing evacuations. Authorities said Sunday that rescue teams saved dozens of people while several residents remained missing.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said two women and three men were unaccounted for, while at least 82 people, including nine foreigners, were rescued. The Nepal Army and police deployed teams and helicopters to affected areas.

Authorities said the flood damaged a hydropower project camp, carried away equipment, and destroyed bridges including a highway bridge connecting Gorkha and Dhading. The river level at Arughat station in Gorkha rose above the danger threshold, according to the disaster agency.

Officials in Gorkha ordered residents along downstream riverbanks to move to safer locations after the sudden surge. Dharmendra Kumar Mishra, Gorkha's senior bureaucrat, described the evacuation request.

"We have asked villagers living along the riverbanks downstream to evacuate and remain safe," said Dharmendra Kumar Mishra, Gorkha district's most senior bureaucrat.

The disaster agency also warned communities in Gorkha, Tanahun, Chitwan, East Nawalparasi and West Nawalparasi districts to remain alert and support rescue efforts.

"Please help ensure that people in at-risk areas are moved to safe locations in time and assist search and rescue operations as needed," said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.

Residents described the flood as a sudden emergency that arrived after a possible landslide upstream. Local official Laxmi Gurung of Chumnubri rural municipality said the event resembled previous disasters.

"The flood looked similar… It was very scary, and it still feels like a nightmare for us," said Laxmi Gurung of Chumnubri rural municipality.

Gurung said the community suffered major losses but had not reported deaths at that time.

"Our house is gone, we have no electricity… but there have been no casualties," said Laxmi Gurung of Chumnubri rural municipality.

Residents in areas including Salleri, Paiyuka and Jagat fled as the Budhi Gandaki River rose early in the morning. Local ward chair Ram Kumar Gurung described how quickly people escaped.

"The flood came early in the morning, and we could not even take out our belongings," said Ram Kumar Gurung, a local ward chair.

Gurung added that warnings prompted people to leave before the flood reached more areas.

"Everyone fled as soon as we heard the flood was coming," said Ram Kumar Gurung, a local ward chair.

Another resident said darkness made it difficult to determine whether a blocked stream or landslide caused the sudden water release.

"Because it was dark, we could not tell whether the stream had been blocked or a landslide had occurred," said Sherap Gurung, a local resident.

The resident also noted that rainfall was not occurring when the flood struck.

"It had not rained either," said Sherap Gurung, a local resident.

Nepal is still recovering from major floods and landslides in August that killed more than 1,400 people and left thousands missing. The government estimated reconstruction costs from that disaster at $4.77 billion.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah ordered additional rescue operations after the Budhi Gandaki flood, with security forces deployed by air and land routes.

"Following the flood in the Budhi Gandaki River, a contingent of the Nepali Army has been deployed via air and land routes for search and rescue operations, and six individuals have been flown from the Jagat area, which is at risk of landslides," said Balendra Shah, Nepal's prime minister.

The government said more emergency personnel were sent to support operations in the affected region.

"The composite quick reaction team stationed in Kathmandu has also been deployed to the aforementioned area via air transport," said Balendra Shah, Nepal's prime minister.