Budhigandaki flood: 35 houses swept away in Chumnubri, helicopters mobilized for rescue

The flood in the Budhigandaki river, which flows through Chumnubri Rural Municipality in Gorkha, swept away 35 houses in Paiyu and Bagar villages on Sunday morning. According to rural municipality vice-chair Laxmi Gurung, extensive damage also occurred in Dobhan, Ghattekhola, Jagat and Salleri villages. Police said the flood came after a river blocked by a landslide between Lokpa and Chumling in Chumnubri-6 began flowing again.

Four people's whereabouts remain unknown after the flood. Rural municipality chair Lama said five people are out of contact. The flood swept away the motorable bridge connecting Soti and Manbu in Arughat Rural Municipality, the bridge connecting Nyakchet and Philim bazaar, the Machhikhola bridge, and the Bailey bridge at Dobhan. The camp building of a hydropower project in Salleri was also swept away.

The Home Ministry has mobilized helicopters for rescue. Nepali Army air and ground teams have also been deployed to the affected areas. A health emergency center has been activated.

Due to the risk, Arughat bazaar has been evacuated and police have issued warnings over loudspeakers. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has urged caution in riverside areas of Gorkha, Tanahun, Chitwan, and eastern and western Nawalparasi. According to Chief Administrative Officer Narayan Sapkota, the river continues to alternately block and reopen.