KATHMANDU: Flash floods hit central Nepal on Sunday, sweeping away houses and leaving at least five people missing, officials said, weeks after devastating flooding that killed hundreds. Videos circulating online showed a dark, debris-filled river surging through the hills in Gorkha district.
"What we know is that a dry landslide had blocked the river and then it burst to cause the flood," national disaster agency chief Dharam Raj Uprety told reporters. Some 45 houses were swept away, with the flood also damaging three hydropower projects and four bridges.
According to the disaster agency, at least 82 people including nine foreigners have been rescued from the affected areas. "Five people are unaccounted for," Uprety said.
Four helicopters were deployed to support rescue and evacuation efforts as water levels in the Budhi Gandaki continued to rise. Authorities earlier issued an alert, urging residents to move away from the river to safer areas.
The latest flooding comes with Nepal still recovering from devastating floods, triggered by a mountain glacial collapse on August 26, which killed more than 1,400 people and left over 5,000 missing. Rescue teams are currently navigating difficult terrain to reach isolated pockets where communication lines have been severed.
The government has promised immediate financial assistance to those who lost their homes in the disaster. Meteorological experts have warned that the region remains vulnerable to further landslides due to the unstable soil conditions following the recent monsoon season.
Local authorities are monitoring the river banks around the clock to prevent further loss of life. International aid organizations are coordinating with the Nepalese government to provide temporary shelter, food, and medical supplies to the displaced families.
The focus remains on search and rescue operations for the missing individuals. As the nation grapples with the aftermath, the recurring nature of these climate-induced disasters has sparked a national debate on infrastructure resilience and early warning systems in high-altitude regions.
The Prime Minister of Nepal has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of property and has directed all relevant departments to expedite the rehabilitation process for the affected communities in Gorkha.