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A flash flood in the Budhi Gandaki river early Sunday swept away an estimated 35 to 40 houses and destroyed several bridges and infrastructure at a hydropower project in Nepal’s Gorkha district, while leaving several people missing.
The flood caused widespread damage in Chumnubri and Dharche rural municipalities, inundating settlements and putting dozens of other houses at risk, local authorities said.
Narayan Prasad Sapkota, administrative chief of Chumnubri Rural Municipality, said the flood swept away houses in Jagat Bagar, Salleri and Ghattikhola.
Several bridges were also destroyed, including suspension footbridges connecting Nyakchet with Sirdibas and Machhakhola with Kerauja. A motorable iron bridge at Soti, linking wards 2 and 3 of Aarughat Rural Municipality, and another bridge connecting Gorkha and Dhading districts at Aarughat were also swept away.
Home Minister Sudan Gurung reported damage to a bridge connecting Nyakchet and Philim Bazar.
As many as five people staying in a shed on the banks of the Ungilung river in Chumchet were reported missing. Another four to five herders travelling from Sirdibas towards Chumling were also reported out of contact.
The Nepali Army rescued six people by helicopter from Jagat, an area vulnerable to landslides. Preliminary reports did not confirm any deaths or injuries.
Floodwaters also swept away a construction camp and equipment at the 341-megawatt Budhi Gandaki hydropower project, which is under construction in Salleri, Chumnubri-3.
Several houses in Machhakhola were inundated, while around 20 to 22 houses in Salleri, Dharche-3, were reported to be at risk.
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said a landslide near Chumchet might have blocked a tributary, with the subsequent sudden release of water triggering the flood. The exact cause has yet to be confirmed, although satellite images show a large landslide in the area.
Authorities have warned of a very high flood risk along the Trishuli river corridor downstream to Benighat as water levels continue to fluctuate. Residents around Mugling, Chitwan and Nawalparasi have been urged to remain alert.
Authorities are continuing to assess the damage and monitor the situation as rescue efforts intensify.