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Flash floods triggered by a massive landslide along the Budhi Gandaki River in northern Gorkha district have swept away six bridges, destroyed dozens of houses and damaged a major hydropower project construction site, while at least 10 people have been reported missing.

The flood struck the Chumnubri Rural Municipality area early Sunday morning, October 11, after a landslide reportedly blocked the Budhi Gandaki River, causing water to accumulate before suddenly surging downstream. Authorities and local representatives said the disaster caused extensive damage to settlements, bridges and infrastructure along the river corridor.

Five herders who were grazing livestock in the highland pastures remain out of contact, according to Chumnubri Rural Municipality Chair Nima Lama. The whereabouts of other missing people were not immediately confirmed, and the full human and economic toll of the disaster remains unclear.

The flood reportedly began at around 4:25 a.m. after landslides in the Ugyulung Khola and Syar Khola areas near Chumchet, as well as between Lokpa and Chumling in Ward 6 of Chumnubri, temporarily obstructed the river. When the accumulated water broke through the blockage, a powerful surge swept through downstream settlements.

Six Bridges Destroyed, Communities Cut Off

The flooding has destroyed six bridges, including motorable bridges and suspension bridges connecting settlements across Gorkha’s remote river valleys.

Among the damaged structures is the motorable bridge over the Budhi Gandaki River connecting Soti Bazaar in Aarughat Rural Municipality with Manbu. The bridge served as an important connection between settlements in the area.

Other reported losses include a Bailey bridge linking Wards 1 and 3 of Dharche Rural Municipality, a suspension bridge connecting Machhikhola with Kerauja, and bridges connecting Nyakchet with Sirdibas, Thado Bharyang with Jagat, and Ghattikhola with Philim.

The destruction of these crossings is expected to disrupt local mobility and access to essential services, particularly in settlements where road connectivity is already limited by difficult terrain.

Authorities have also reported extensive damage to houses and other structures in Chumnubri and Dharche rural municipalities.

Around 35 houses in Paiyun and Bagar villages of Chumnubri-3 were reportedly swept away. Floodwaters also affected settlements in Jagat, Salleri, Dobhan and Ghattikhola.

In Sirdibas, a house belonging to local resident Ram Bahadur Gurung was reportedly swept away, while floodwater entered another house. In the lower settlement of Machhikhola, approximately five to seven houses and a similar number of temporary structures were inundated.

Around 20 to 22 houses in Salleri, Dharche-3, have also been reported at risk.

Budhi Gandaki Hydropower Project Site Swept Away

One of the most significant infrastructure losses involves the construction camp and associated structures of the 341-megawatt Budhi Gandaki hydropower project in Salleri, Chumnubri-3.

The construction camp was swept away by the flood, according to local authorities and representatives of the construction company.

Sovit Shrestha, operator of Sovit Nirman Sewa, which was carrying out construction work at the site, said approximately 96 percent of the construction work had been completed. The project structures were scheduled for handover in October.

Shrestha said the flood destroyed the entire construction site, resulting in substantial losses.

He added that workers had been instructed to move to higher ground at around 4 a.m., helping prevent casualties among personnel at the site.

The extent of the damage to the hydropower project’s infrastructure, equipment and remaining construction work has yet to be officially assessed.

The destruction comes at a critical stage for the project, which was nearing the completion of construction work. The damage could have implications for the project’s handover schedule and recovery costs, although the financial impact has not yet been determined.

Local representatives said the settlement near the construction site had previously been relocated following government compensation payments.

Authorities Mobilise Security Forces

The Gorkha District Police Office confirmed receiving reports of the flood at around 4:30 a.m. Sunday. Police and local officials have been assessing the damage and monitoring the situation along the river.

Home Minister Sudan Gurung said all three security agencies had been mobilised for the response.

Police have also used public announcements to warn residents in downstream settlements about potential risks and urge them to move to safer locations.

Residents of Khorelabesi, Machhakhola, Soti, Arkhet and Aarughat, as well as communities in Sirdibas and Dharche, have been advised to seek safer ground amid concerns about further flooding.

Local authorities said many residents fled their homes after receiving warnings in the early morning hours. Chumnubri Chair Lama said the timely response helped prevent further loss of life, although the scale of physical destruction was extensive.

Search for Missing Herders Continues

The immediate priority remains locating the five missing herders and confirming reports of other missing people.

The herders were reportedly in highland grazing areas when the flood struck. Their condition and whereabouts remain unknown.

Authorities have yet to release a comprehensive assessment of casualties, damaged homes, destroyed bridges and losses to public and private infrastructure.

The disaster has highlighted the vulnerability of remote mountain communities to sudden river surges, landslides and the destruction of critical transport links.

With several bridges destroyed and settlements affected along the Budhi Gandaki corridor, emergency access, supply movement and connectivity between communities could face significant disruption.

Officials are continuing to gather information as rescue and damage-assessment efforts proceed. Residents in downstream areas have been urged to remain alert and follow instructions from local authorities.

The situation remains developing, and the number of missing people and the total economic damage may change as authorities verify reports from affected settlements.