Massive Flood in Budhigandaki River: Lower Riparian Residents Urged to Maintain High Vigilance

Kathmandu. A massive flood has struck the Budhigandaki River around Chumanubri Rural Municipality in Gorkha district. It is reported that the flood may have been caused by a dry landslide upstream that temporarily dammed the river.

Narayan Sapkota, Chief Administrative Officer of Chumanubri Rural Municipality, stated that reports have been received indicating damage to settlements, local markets, hotels, and a few schools in the lower riparian (downstream) regions due to the flood.

According to Sapkota, the river flow is repeatedly being blocked and unblocked. He noted that a large surge of floodwaters has impacted areas up to approximately 150 to 200 meters above the riverbank level.

"We are right here in the coastal area, near the rural municipality office. A massive flood has arrived. It is being said that a dry landslide occurred upstream, damming the river and triggering this flood. We are observing it from right here. The river is repeatedly getting dammed and then bursting through. A huge surge of floodwaters has hit, covering an area up to about 150–200 meters above," he said. "Reports have come in that settlements in the lower coastal areas have been swept away. So far, there is no information regarding any human casualties."

According to him, damage has been reported in downstream settlements and markets along the riverbanks, including Jagat and Salleri. He informed that hotels operating in those areas, including those catering to trekking agencies, as well as some schools, have been swept away by the flood.

Sapkota stated that official confirmation regarding whether there are any human casualties is yet to be received. Efforts are underway to collect actual details of the damage and assess the situation, while coordination among relevant authorities is ongoing.

He added that since the water flow in the river continues to fluctuate constantly, it is not currently possible to release exact details of the destruction.

As the risk of flooding remains high, residents living in the lower riparian areas of the Budhigandaki River have been urged to adopt high vigilance and move from the riverbanks to safer locations.