Budhi Gandaki River Flash Flood Sweeps Away Houses in Gorkha, Nepal

A major flood has hit the Budhi Gandaki River after a landslide reportedly blocked the river in Chumchet, Chumnubri Rural Municipality-6, Gorkha.  Locals have been urged to move immediately to safer, higher ground and avoid riverbanks and other high-risk areas.

The flood is rumoured to be triggered by a massive dry landslide that blocked the river early Sunday morning, October 11, 2026. The landslide occurred around 5:30 AM between Lokpa and Chhuling in Chumanubri Rural Municipality-6. Although the dammed river began flowing again by 6:15 AM, it released a sudden surge carrying mud, debris, and huge boulders downstream, causing widespread destruction.

Current Status & Impact

• Infrastructure Destruction: The floodwaters have swept away at least two major suspension bridges, including the bridge connecting Nyakchet and Sirdibas market, as well as a critical bridge at Soti Bazaar.
• Property Damage: Several homes and structures along the riverbanks have been destroyed. In Jagat, at least seven houses have been swept away, and several local hotels in Nyakphedi and Ghattethola have been flooded or washed away.
• Casualties: Fortunately, no one has been reported hurt so far. Local residents, hotel operators, and tourists fled to higher ground after hearing loud roaring sounds beforehand.

Origin of the Flood

Ram Kumar Gurung, ward chair of Chumnubri Rural Municipality-3, said the flood swept away houses in Salleri and Paiyuka, as well as structures in the riverbed at Jagat. A suspension bridge connecting the ward was also destroyed.

“The flood came early in the morning, and we could not even take out our belongings,” Gurung said. “Everyone fled as soon as we heard the flood was coming.”

The full extent of the damage was not yet known. Preliminary reports indicated that seven houses had been swept away, according to The Kathmandu Post.

The flood also destroyed the bridge linking Nyakchet and Philim Bazaar in Chumnubri-3, Home Minister Sudan Gurung said.

Rescue & Safety Advisories

Evacuation & Warnings: 

Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has issued an emergency warning. People living along the riverbanks down to Trishuli Dobhan are urged to stay away from the river and remain on higher ground. Police units are using loudspeakers to warn vulnerable settlements.

Emergency Response: 

Local police teams from Sirdibas and Chumchet are on the ground, and helicopter reconnaissance and rescue operations are underway in the remote parts of Chumanubri and Dharche Rural Municipalities.

This is another case of a natural disaster after a massive flash flood from Tibet devastated the Rasuwagadhi Border just over a month ago.

Aero Connect Nepal prays for the safety and successful rescue of affected families, and communities.

(More Details to Follow)