Nepal's Gorkha Ravaged by Flash Flood: Houses Gone, Bridges Collapse, Many Missing

A devastating flash flood tore through Nepal's Gorkha district early Sunday, sweeping away at least 35 to 45 houses, destroying multiple bridges, and damaging critical infrastructure, including parts of a hydropower project. The sudden surge of water along the Budhi Gandaki River has left 5 to 10 people missing, triggering urgent rescue operations by the Nepali Army and local authorities. Initial reports suggest the disaster was triggered by a landslide near Chumchet that temporarily blocked a tributary of the Budhi Gandaki, causing water to build up before bursting through with destructive force. This incident comes after a tough year for Nepal, which saw a massive flash flood in August 2026 from a glacier collapse that killed over 1,400 people, highlighting the country's extreme vulnerability to cascading natural hazards amplified by its mountainous Himalayan region and changing climate patterns. Rescue and evacuation efforts are ongoing in affected areas like Chumnubri and Dharche, with helicopters deployed to reach stranded residents and monitor fluctuating river levels. Authorities have issued alerts for communities downstream, especially along the Trishuli corridor, urging them to move to safer ground as the risk of further flooding remains high. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) is coordinating the response, while the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) stresses the need to understand these complex mountain hazards for future resilience.