Flash flood in Nepal's Gorkha sweeps away 40 homes

Landslide-triggered flash flood destroys 40 homes and bridges in Nepal’s Gorkha district

KATHMANDU, Oct 11 — A massive landslide-triggered flash flood inundated remote mountain villages in central Nepal’s Gorkha district today, sweeping away at least 40 homes and two suspension bridges while leaving at least 10 residents missing, according to local authorities and reports broadcast by Malaysian news outlet Buletin TV3.

The disaster struck Chumanubri Rural Municipality in northern Gorkha after a dry landslide temporarily dammed the Budhi Gandaki River gorge near Lokpa. The temporary barrier eventually burst under immense water pressure, releasing a torrent of mud, boulders, and debris downstream.

Local administrative officials said early natural warning signs—including the river suddenly receding to a trickle before a deep rumble was heard—allowed some riverside communities to scramble to higher ground before the main surge arrived.

Screen capture of a metal truss bridge collapsing into a muddy river during flash floods in Gorkha, Nepal. — A metal truss bridge collapses into a roaring river in Gorkha, Nepal, in this screen capture from a social media video report obtained on October 11, 2026. The structure was swept away by flash floods following a upstream landslide dam breach along the Budhi Gandaki River valley, washing away homes and severing critical local transport links. (Photo: Screen Capture via Threads/Buletin TV3 via The Malaysia Times)

Fresh disaster follows catastrophic August floods

The incident in Gorkha comes just over six weeks after a catastrophic mountain collapse and glacial surge struck Rasuwagadhi near the Nepal-China border in late August, a disaster that claimed nearly 1,500 lives and destroyed major hydroelectric plants and border transit hubs.

According to local emergency services, today’s breach swept through several settlements along the Manaslu trekking corridor, completely severing key suspension bridges and isolating upper mountain villages from road access.

“The flood burst through the temporary blockade, carrying away riverside structures, school buildings, and suspension bridges,” local district police officials reported, adding that emergency rescue units and security personnel from Kathmandu have been deployed to assist in search and evacuation operations.

Evacuations and downstream high alert

The District Administration Office in Gorkha issued urgent flood alerts for downstream settlements along the Budhi Gandaki River basin, advising residents in Sirdibas, Khorlabeshi, Machhakhola, and Arughat to remain on high terraces due to the potential for secondary water surges.

Authorities indicated that comprehensive casualty and property damage assessments remain ongoing as rescue teams navigate damaged mountain trails and disrupted telecommunications networks.

— The Malaysia Times

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