Kathmandu, 11 October (H.S.): An avalanche in the Manaslu Himalayan region is suspected to have triggered the severe flooding in Nepal’s Gorkha district, although the cause has yet to be officially confirmed. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said a local resident had reported flooding following an avalanche, but the circumstances were still being investigated.

According to Dr. Dharmaraj Upreti, executive chief of the authority, the flood appears to have originated in the northern part of Chumanubri Rural Municipality. A study of the maps suggests that the area is connected to the Manaslu region.

“The flood came from areas north of Lokpa and Chumling. A study of the map suggests that the area lies within the lower catchment of the Manaslu region and is connected to Mount Manaslu. The water flows downstream through the Tom Khola, Syam Khola and Chuling Khola,” Upreti said.

According to Upreti, the flooding caused extensive damage across several settlements, including Sirdibas, Jagat, Yaru, Tatopani, Mathikhola, Soti and Arukhet, before reaching Arughat. He said Arughat had suffered considerable damage and that a bridge there had been swept away by the floodwaters.

Infrastructure associated with a hydropower project in the region, along with constructed buildings, was also washed away. However, no casualties had been reported in connection with the flooding so far.

The authority’s executive chief emphasised that the suspected avalanche was, at this stage, only a preliminary explanation for the disaster. He said a local resident contacted in Lokpa had claimed to have witnessed the avalanche.

Based on the resident’s account, authorities suspect that avalanche debris may have moved downstream, potentially obstructing the flow of water or debris at several points before the accumulated material was suddenly released, triggering the flood. Upreti said the possibility was being investigated and cautioned that it should not yet be treated as a definitive conclusion.

According to the Flood Forecasting Division, the water level of the Budhi Gandaki River began rising at around 4 a.m. on Sunday, with the river’s flow increasing along the route of the Udingul River through Chumanubri Rural Municipality.

The flooding is feared to affect Gorkha, Dhading, Tanahun and Chitwan districts, prompting authorities to urge residents in the potentially affected areas to remain vigilant.

In a bulletin issued at 9:25 a.m. on Sunday, the division reported that the water level in the Budhi Gandaki River had risen above the danger mark and continued to fluctuate.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar