Flash Flood in Nepal's Gorkha District Sweeps Away Houses and Bridges, Leaves Five Missing

A sudden debris-laden flood swept through settlements along the Budhi Gandaki River in Nepal's Gorkha District on Sunday, October 11, 2026. It washed away more than 35 houses, several bridges and parts of a hydropower construction camp. Five people remained missing as of late Sunday. Nepal Army helicopters rescued dozens of people, including foreign nationals.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said the flood followed a debris flow from Ungilung Khola near Chumling that blocked the Syarkhola stream. The blockage burst and sent a surge of mud and debris into the Budhi Gandaki. Water levels rose sharply. At the Budhigandaki-Arughat monitoring centre the level climbed from about 2.28 metres to 3.66 metres early, then higher later in the morning, exceeding the danger mark.

Missing persons included two women and three men staying at a temporary shepherd settlement in the Ungilung area of Chumchet, Chumnubri Rural Municipality. Locals searched but could not locate the shed. About 100 cows were also reported missing. Nima Lama, chairperson of the municipality, said at least two villages were wiped out.

Four Nepal Army helicopters evacuated people from affected areas. Reports cited between 47 and 95 rescues depending on the update, including nine foreign nationals. More than 700 security personnel were deployed, including army, police and armed police units. Home Minister Sudan Gurung said helicopters were used for rescue, relief and evacuations as water levels continued to rise.

Damage extended to infrastructure. Two motorable bridges and two suspension bridges were washed away, including one connecting Nyakchet and Philim Bazaar. Three hydropower structures and public buildings were hit. At least 54 houses were completely destroyed and 27 partially damaged. A construction camp and equipment for the 341-megawatt Budhi Gandaki hydropower project in Salleri were swept away. The project is still under construction.

The flood struck as communities prepared for the first day of Dashain, Nepal's major festival. Families fled to higher ground. SMS alerts urged residents in Sirdibas, Khorlabesi, Machhakhola and other areas to move to safer locations. Videos showed dark, debris-filled water surging through valleys and carrying away buildings.

Preliminary assessments pointed to a landslide above Siuribas or in the Tumje area of Chumnubri that blocked the river or a tributary. Sporadic rainfall had occurred, but officials said the surge was unlikely to have been caused by rain alone at that moment. Gorkha Chief District Officer Dharmendra Kumar Mishra noted the landslide reports. No confirmed deaths were listed in early statements beyond the missing.

Nepal is still recovering from severe floods and landslides two months earlier that destroyed thousands of houses and energy infrastructure along the border with Tibet. The Gorkha event adds to the pressure on local response capacity. The hydropower projects along the Budhi Gandaki and its tributaries, with combined capacity over 400 MW, reported impacts. Independent Power Producers' Association Nepal said four projects were affected.

Rescue operations continued into Sunday evening. Displaced families faced uncertainty over shelter and supplies. The exact number of missing fluctuated between four and five in different reports as searches progressed. For residents of northern Gorkha, the flood cut access routes and damaged the limited infrastructure that supports both local life and the ongoing hydropower construction. Recovery will require rebuilding bridges and assessing the long-term stability of the river channel before the next monsoon season.