Kathmandu, 11 October (H.S.): A sudden and severe flood struck Chumanubri Rural Municipality in Nepal’s Gorkha district on Sunday morning, causing widespread destruction. Floodwaters from the Budhi Gandaki River swept away 35 houses in the villages of Paiyun and Bagar. Several other villages also suffered extensive damage, while multiple motorable and suspension bridges were washed away. Authorities have urged residents living along the riverbanks and in downstream areas to remain vigilant and move to safer locations.

Gorkha Chief District Officer Dhirendra Kumar Mishra said information about a major flood was received at 4:35 a.m. on Sunday. Preparations are under way to dispatch a Nepal Army helicopter to assess the situation.

According to Nima Lama, chairperson of Chumanubri Rural Municipality, a landslide blocked the flow of the Chumke Khola stream, causing water to accumulate before a sudden flood occurred. The Flood Forecasting Division issued SMS alerts to warn residents of the impending danger. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority also advised people living along the riverbanks to exercise caution.

Laxmi Gurung, vice-chairperson of Chumanubri Rural Municipality, said the villages of Dobhan, Ghattekhola, Jagat and Salleri had sustained extensive damage.

The flood swept away the motorable bridge connecting Soti in Arughat Rural Municipality with Manbu. According to the police, an old suspension bridge linking Nyakchet with Sirdibas in Nyakchet, within Chumanubri Rural Municipality, was also destroyed.

Similarly, the suspension bridge connecting Machhikhola with Kerauja in Dharche Rural Municipality was washed away. A permanent iron bridge at Soti, connecting Arughat Rural Municipality with Ward No. 3, was also swept away by the floodwaters.

In view of the continuing threat, residents of Sirdibas and the areas of Kholrabesi, Machhakhola, Soti, Arkhet and Arughat in Dharche Rural Municipality and surrounding localities have been urged to move to safer places.

Police Inspector Aakash Kandel of the District Police Office, Gorkha, said residents of the affected areas had been advised to remain alert and relocate to safer locations in anticipation of further danger.

Following the sudden flooding of the Budhi Gandaki River, the health emergency response centre has been activated. According to the Ministry of Health and Population, preparations and coordination are under way to provide essential healthcare services, emergency treatment and other medical assistance in the affected areas. The ministry has advised people requiring medical assistance to contact its helpline at 1115.

Nepal’s Home Minister Sudan Gurung has appealed to residents living along the Budhi Gandaki River and in low-lying areas to move immediately to safer locations and exercise extreme caution.

In a message posted on Facebook, Gurung specifically urged residents of Sirdibas, Jagat, Salleri, Kholabesi, Machhakhola, Soti, Arkhet and Arughat to evacuate to safer areas.

The home minister said Nepal was once again facing severe flooding. He expressed concern over reports that a bridge connecting Nyakchet and Philim Bazaar in Chumanubri Rural Municipality, his constituency in Gorkha district, had been swept away. He also referred to reports of floodwaters carrying debris entering several houses in the Ghattekhola area. He added that the river’s water level was continuing to rise.

According to Gurung, the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and local administrative authorities were mobilised immediately after the incident to conduct relief and rescue operations and evacuate residents to safer locations. Preparations have also begun to deploy helicopters to the affected region.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar