Residents living along the Budhi Gandaki river in north central Nepal were forced to evacuate due to flash flooding that caused extensive damage to homes and structures in the area. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority took swift action to evacuate villagers and advised others to relocate to safer areas while remaining vigilant until late Sunday.
Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of casualties from the flash flooding. The cause of the sudden flood in the Budhi Gandaki river, a significant waterway that converges with the Trishuli river near Kathmandu, is currently under investigation by the disaster management agency.
Videos circulating on social media captured the destructive force of the floodwaters, washing away houses and sheds as the river surged between towering mountains. The extent of the impact on the small villages in the mountainous region remains unclear. Reports suggest that the government’s warning led to evacuations in Arughat, a town situated along the river on the route linking Kathmandu to other parts of the country.
Nepal is still grappling with the aftermath of a catastrophic flood in August near the Nepal-China border, which resulted in over 1,400 fatalities and left thousands missing. The office of Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah announced the conclusion of search and rescue operations for missing individuals. Efforts will now focus on recovery initiatives, including repairing damaged roads and bridges that have hindered aid distribution, especially in remote areas.
The government anticipates that the reconstruction process will incur costs amounting to $4.77 billion. Approximately 33,000 individuals have been affected by the recent disasters, with around 7,500 homes sustaining damage or being completely destroyed.
