Rescue helicopters and military teams are rushing to flood-hit communities in north-central Nepal after a sudden flash flood swept away homes, damaged bridges and left five people missing.
The disaster struck on Sunday (Oct 11) along the Budhi Gandaki River after a landslide blocked the waterway near Chumchure village. When the blockage gave way, a surge of water rushed downstream, devastating settlements and infrastructure.
By Monday, Oct 12, Nepalese military rescuers had reached affected areas to evacuate residents and tourists while delivering food, medicine, tents and other essential supplies to isolated communities.
Authorities said no fatalities had been reported from the latest flooding, while an early-warning alert had helped many residents move to higher ground before the floodwaters arrived.
Landslide-triggered flood destroys homes and bridges
The flood damaged or destroyed five bridges, construction sites at three hydropower projects, and dozens of homes and farms, according to reports from the Associated Press.
Videos circulating on social media showed muddy, debris-filled water surging through the mountainous landscape, carrying away houses and other structures.
The extent of the damage across smaller villages remained unclear, with some communities difficult to reach because roads and bridges had been damaged.
Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said 95 people, including nine foreign nationals, had been taken to nearby towns by Monday.
Four military helicopters were deployed during the rescue effort, while ground teams worked to reach residents in areas accessible by road.
Trucks carried relief supplies to reachable settlements, while helicopters transported aid to more remote mountain communities.
Five people remain missing as search efforts continue
Authorities reported five people missing following the flooding. Rescue teams continued working to locate those unaccounted for while helping residents leave dangerous areas.
The affected region includes trekking routes popular with hikers, and October is one of Nepal’s busiest periods for visitors.
The presence of tourists added another challenge for rescuers, who needed to account for both local residents and travellers caught in the disaster.
Officials have not yet established the full scale of the destruction across the region.
Nepal still recovering from catastrophic flooding
The latest disaster comes as Nepal continues to recover from devastating flooding near its border with China in August.
That earlier catastrophe killed more than 1,400 people and left thousands missing, according to reports cited by the Associated Press.
On Oct 5, the government announced that search-and-rescue operations for victims of the August disaster had ended, with recovery efforts shifting towards repairing damaged infrastructure and helping affected communities rebuild.
The latest flooding highlights the continuing dangers faced by communities living along Himalayan rivers, where landslides and sudden changes in river flow can trigger destructive surges.
Relief efforts continue in remote mountain communities
With five people still missing and critical infrastructure damaged, rescuers face a difficult task reaching affected settlements and delivering assistance.
The immediate priorities are to locate those unaccounted for, evacuate people from vulnerable areas and provide essential supplies to communities cut off by the flood.
The disaster also underscores the importance of early-warning systems in mountainous regions, where a landslide blocking a river can create a dangerous buildup of water before a sudden release.
For now, rescue teams remain focused on reaching isolated villages as authorities assess the damage and work to ensure that more people are moved to safety.
