Nepal Orders Riverbank Evacuations After Landslide Triggers Major Flooding
Authorities in Nepal on Sunday urged residents living along riverbanks to evacuate to safer locations after a massive flood swept away several houses and damaged infrastructure in the central part of the country. No casualties had been reported at the time of the announcement.
Officials said a dry landslide in Chumnubri village in Gorkha district, approximately 100 kilometres west of Kathmandu, blocked the Budhi Gandaki River, triggering flooding in downstream areas.
The Budhi Gandaki is a tributary of the Trishuli River system. The warning comes months after a devastating flood in August, triggered by a glacier collapse in another tributary, killed 1,457 people, with thousands still reported missing.
Dharmendra Kumar Mishra, the senior administrative official in Gorkha district, said residents living along the riverbanks downstream had been advised to leave their homes and move to safer places.
According to Mishra, the flood swept away several houses and two suspension bridges, while a hydroelectric power project also sustained damage.
Authorities Issue Flood Alerts Across Multiple Districts
Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority issued alerts for communities situated along the river in Gorkha, Tanahun, Chitwan, East Nawalparasi and West Nawalparasi districts.
The disaster management authority urged local officials and residents to ensure that people in vulnerable areas were relocated promptly and that rescue operations received the necessary assistance.
In a social media appeal, the authority called for timely evacuation of people in high-risk locations and support for search-and-rescue efforts wherever required.
Officials are closely monitoring the situation as concerns grow over the potential impact of the flooding on downstream communities.
Army and Police Mobilised for Rescue Operations
Rescue personnel from Nepal’s army and police have reached the affected area to assess the damage and assist people in need. Officials are also monitoring the situation from a helicopter to evaluate the extent of the flooding and identify areas at risk.
The evacuation advisory remains a key precautionary measure as authorities work to protect residents living along the riverbanks.
Although no casualties had been reported, the destruction of homes, bridges and hydroelectric infrastructure highlights the immediate threat posed by the flood. Authorities continue to urge residents in vulnerable areas to follow official instructions and move to safer locations.
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