Budhigandaki Flood: 5 Missing in Gorkha; 95 People, Including 9 Foreigners, Rescued via Helicopter

KATHMANDU — A massive landslide falling from Sirdingge Mountain in Chumnubri Rural Municipality, Gorkha, dammed the river, triggering a severe flood in the Budhigandaki River. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), 5 people—2 women and 3 men—from Ungling, Chumnubri Rural Municipality-6 (Chumchet), have gone missing due to the flood.

Four Nepal Army helicopters were deployed to the flood-affected area, successfully rescuing 95 people, including 9 foreign nationals. A total of 703 security personnel from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force have been deployed for rescue and response operations.

The flood has caused significant damage to physical infrastructure across various local levels. According to the NDRRMA status report, the flood washed away 2 concrete bridges, 2 suspension bridges, and 1 Bailey bridge. Additionally, a total of 204 houses were damaged, including 43 in Chumnubri, 39 in Dharche, 64 in Arughat, and 58 in Tripurasundari Rural Municipality of Dhading. Furthermore, 1 school, 3 hydroelectric projects, 4 fire pits, 4 sheep sheds, 12 pigpens or warehouses, and 11 drinking water projects across Gorkha and Dhading were damaged.

Essential relief supplies—including tarpaulins, tents, blankets, mattresses, sleeping bags, jackets, food items, and solar lights—have been immediately dispatched to the affected area via road and helicopters. The Authority stated that based on details from the District Administration Office, Gorkha, the process of managing estimated relief supplies sufficient for 21 days for Chumnubri, Dharche, and Arughat rural municipalities has been initiated. A technical team comprising geologists and drones, led by the NDRRMA, has been deployed for a detailed study of the incident.