The Nepal Army has stated that a landslide may have caused a sudden flood in the Budhi Gandaki river, located in Gorkha district. According to their initial report, the landslide temporarily obstructed the river’s flow, which later resulted in a surge of water, mud, and debris downstream. The preliminary assessment followed an aerial survey conducted over the affected area, although the exact source and cause of the flooding have yet to be confirmed. An ongoing investigation is expected to shed light on these details.

The incident was first reported to the No 3 Brigade Headquarters of the Nepal Army at 5.55 am on Sunday, alerting them to a cessation of the river’s flow. In response, a reconnaissance team was dispatched from the Rudradhwaj Battalion security post in Bangsing by approximately 6.15 am. Their mission confirmed a landslide in the Filim region, part of Chumnubri Rural Municipality. The Army’s initial findings suggest that the landslide obstructed the river, which later gave way and caused the flood. Further analyses are necessary to fully understand the impact.

Similarities to Previous Flooding Incidents

Dr Dharma Raj Upreti, the executive chief of Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, indicated that the flood’s characteristics bore resemblance to a disaster that occurred in the Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi region on August 26. However, he emphasised that the actual source and specific cause of the flood in Budhi Gandaki remain unclear. Authorities are undertaking an investigation aimed at establishing the triggering factors of the recent incident.

Video evidence has emerged, depicting a surge of dark soil, large boulders, and various types of debris traversing through the Budhi Gandaki river. A dedicated team, including drone-equipped personnel, has been dispatched to the river’s upper regions to gather additional information. The previous flood in Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi was linked to a glacier’s displacement in Tibet, a disaster that resulted in substantial fatalities. It remains uncertain whether the current flood in Budhi Gandaki shares a similar root cause.

Impact on Local Infrastructure

The flood has had significant repercussions on local infrastructure in Gorkha district. Initial reports from the Nepal Army indicate that the powerhouse of the under-construction Budhi Gandaki hydropower project in Salleri, located in Dharche Rural Municipality, was swept away by the floodwaters. Additionally, the flooding reportedly caused damage to eight to ten houses in the vicinity.

Contradictory reports from the affected areas suggest variations in the extent of damage. While some initial assessments pointed to multiple houses being washed away, other accounts mentioned that only one temporary house was destroyed, while eight houses and eight temporary shelters sustained floodwater intrusion. Furthermore, an additional 22 houses have been reported as being at risk. Damage assessments are at an initial stage, and further details are anticipated as authorities continue to survey the impacted regions.

Investigators are also focused on examining the upper reaches of the Budhi Gandaki river, aiming to identify the cause behind the sudden surge and evaluate its impact on surrounding communities and infrastructure. Continued efforts are necessary to ascertain the full extent of damage and to implement appropriate response measures.

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