Nepal floods: 10 missing as Budhi Gandaki River washes away 6 bridges in Gorkha

At least 10 people went missing when flooding struck the Budhi Gandaki River basin in Nepal’s Gorkha district around 4 am Sunday. The flood damaged homes, bridges, settlements and a local market. Residents and tourists fled toward safer places as water levels continued to change.

The worst effects were reported across remote riverside communities. Nearly 35 houses in Painyu and Bagar, in Ward 3 of Chumnubri Rural Municipality, were swept away. Settlements in Jagat, Salleri, Dovan and Ghattekhola were damaged. People in Chumling and Lokpa also evacuated after hearing loud sounds from nearby streams.

Authorities urged residents of several riverbank settlements to move immediately. These included Sirdibas, Jagat, Salleri, Khorlabesi, Machhakhola, Soti, Arkhet and Arughat. Nepal Army teams, helicopters and security personnel were sent to search, rescue and evacuate people while officials monitored the river.

A river basin is the area of land where rain and stream water drains toward one main river. It includes hillsides, small streams, tributaries and communities connected to that water system. This matters because flooding is not limited to one riverbank or village. Water gathered across the basin can affect places downstream and along connected channels.

The Budhi Gandaki basin shows this pattern clearly. Flooding damaged settlements in Jagat, Salleri, Dovan and Ghattekhola, while bridges at Arughat, Tripurasundari and Soti-Manbu were damaged or destroyed. Other crossings linked Machhikhola with Karauja and Thadobharyang with Jagat.

When water levels rise or fluctuate, authorities must monitor a wide area rather than one location. They used loudspeakers to warn riverside residents and urged people in multiple communities to evacuate. The basin-wide impact also explains why transport, markets and rescue access were disrupted at the same time.

The flooding caused severe damage across the Budhi Gandaki basin. Officials reported that at least 10 people were missing after the flood struck northern Gorkha around 4 am. The figure was still being assessed as rescue teams worked and authorities continued monitoring changing river levels.

Six bridges were swept away. They included two motorable bridges and four suspension bridges. A Bailey bridge linking Wards 1 and 3 of Dharche Rural Municipality was also lost. Nearly 35 houses in Painyu and Bagar, in Chumnubri Rural Municipality’s Ward 3, were swept away. Other settlements and the local market suffered extensive damage.

The full scale remained uncertain when officials described the situation. Laxmi Gurung said dozens of houses had been washed away and that the exact damage could not yet be calculated. Search and rescue operations continued, while residents were told to evacuate and seek emergency help if needed.

Bridges are vital links for remote communities. When six crossings are washed away, residents can become isolated, vehicles may lose access, and supplies or medical help can take longer to reach them. Markets also suffer because traders and customers cannot move normally. Rescue teams face added danger and may need air support.

The flood destroyed two motorable bridges and four suspension bridges. It also swept away a Bailey bridge connecting Wards 1 and 3 of Dharche Rural Municipality. Footbridges linking Machhikhola with Karauja, Thadobharyang with Jagat, and Ghattekhola with Philim were among the affected crossings. The flood also caused extensive damage to the local market.

Authorities responded with search, rescue and evacuation operations. Nepal Army teams traveled by air and land, helicopters supported relief efforts, and six people were evacuated to safer locations. With key routes damaged, officials relied on warnings, air operations and available alternate access while monitoring the river.

The response combined military, aviation, security and local government efforts. The Nepal Army sent a contingent by air and land for search and rescue. Helicopters supported relief and evacuation, while a joint rapid response team from Kathmandu was airlifted into the affected area.

Security personnel helped with rescue and relief operations, and helicopter teams assisted from above. The Nepal Army later reported that six people had been evacuated to safer locations. Local officials monitored the Budhi Gandaki’s fluctuating water level and tracked damage to bridges, houses and settlements. Authorities also used loudspeakers to warn people living near the river.

Home minister Sudan Gurung urged residents in several communities to move immediately to safer areas. People needing emergency assistance were told to contact the ministry of home affairs on 1234. Operations remained active as muddy water entered houses in Ghattekhola and officials continued watching the river’s flow.

In mountainous Nepal, heavy monsoon rain can move rapidly from steep slopes into streams and river channels. Narrow valleys leave less space for water, while many small streams can feed a larger river quickly. This can produce sudden surges, muddy water and fast-changing river levels. The article reports these conditions, while the general drainage mechanism comes from established geography.

Residents near Chumling and Lokpa heard loud roaring sounds from nearby streams around 4 am and fled. Officials said the Budhi Gandaki’s water level continued to rise and fall. Muddy floodwaters entered some houses in Ghattekhola, showing how quickly conditions can become dangerous near the river.

Because river levels can change rapidly, authorities kept monitoring the flow and issued repeated warnings. Security teams, helicopters and loudspeakers supported evacuation and rescue. Residents along the riverbanks were urged to move immediately, since a temporary fall in water level did not remove the continuing danger.

A natural flood becomes a human disaster when powerful water meets people, homes and essential infrastructure. Steep terrain can speed runoff toward narrow river channels. Heavy rainfall can increase river flow quickly. Settlements built near rivers face direct exposure, while bridges and markets can be damaged when water rises. These are established flood mechanisms; the article documents their effects in Gorkha.

The Budhi Gandaki flood swept away nearly 35 houses in Painyu and Bagar and damaged communities including Jagat, Salleri, Dovan and Ghattekhola. Six bridges disappeared, cutting links between remote places. Residents in Chumling and Lokpa fled after hearing nearby streams roar, while muddy water entered houses in Ghattekhola.

The result was displacement, missing people and difficult rescue access. At least 10 people were reported missing, and six were later evacuated. Authorities used helicopters, security teams, loudspeakers and local warnings. Continued river monitoring remained important because water levels were still fluctuating.