Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) and the Flood Forecasting Division issued emergency warning broadcasts, mandating the immediate evacuation of riverbank settlements along the entire corridor down to the Trishuli confluence.
A massive, sudden flash flood laden with mud and glacial debris swept through the Budhi Gandaki river corridor in northern Gorkha on Sunday morning, destroying residential homes, severing major bridges, and wrecking the base camp of a 341 MW hydropower project under construction.
Timeline of the Early-Morning Flood
- 04:00 NPT: Residents and trekkers in upper Chumnubri Ward 6 reported deep rumbling sounds from the steep gorges near the Ungilung and Syar river confluences as water levels fluctuated abnormally.
- 04:30 NPT: The surge of debris struck upper riverside settlements in Chumnubri Ward 3, tearing through Dobhan, Salleri, and Jagat.
- 06:30 NPT: High-velocity floodwaters advanced downstream into Dharche Rural Municipality, inundating river terraces in Machhakhola.
- 07:45 NPT: The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology dispatched urgent nationwide SMS alerts warning of massive flood discharge from Chumnubri-6.
- 08:30–09:30 NPT: Police teams executed megaphone-directed evacuations across Aarughat Bazar as floodwaters collapsed the western approach span of the Aarughat–Dhading bridge.
Settlement-by-Settlement Verified Damage
| Location | Damage Type | Reported Extent | Primary Sourcing Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chumnubri-3 (Paiyun & Bagar) | Washed away | 35 residential houses washed away | Vice-Chair Laxmi Gurung / RSS |
| Chumnubri-3 (Sirdibas) | Structural destruction & inundation | 1 mud house washed away; 1 house inundated | Gorkha District Police Office |
| Chumnubri-3 (Jagat Riverbank) | Washed away | 5 to 7 houses swept away | CDO Dharmendra Kumar Mishra |
| Dharche-5 (Machhakhola Lower) | Inundation | 5-7 houses and 5-7 temporary sheds submerged | Inspector Aakash Kandel / Police |
| Dharche-3 (Salleri) | Critical threat / At-risk | 20 to 22 residences threatened by bank scour | Gandaki Health Ministry Dispatch |
| Aarughat-9 (Aarughat Bazar) | Precautionary evacuation | Waterfront market cleared; residents moved to higher terrain | Ilaka Police Office Aarughat |
Damage to Named Bridges and Structural Verification
- Nyakchet–Sirdibas Suspension Bridge (Chumnubri-3): An essential pedestrian suspension footbridge was swept away, completely isolating upper walking trails to Chumchet and Philim.
- Machhakhola–Kerauja Suspension Bridge (Dharche-5): The primary suspension bridge between Machhakhola and Kerauja was swept away by debris-laden torrents.
- Soti Motorable Steel Bridge (Aarughat-2/3 to Dharche link): The motorable permanent steel bridge spanning Soti Khola was completely washed downstream.
- Aarughat–Dhading Motor Bridge (Nayapul, Aarughat-9): Official evaluations clarify that the entire bridge was not destroyed. The bridge features a 60-metre steel truss and a 25-metre concrete section. The flood collapsed the 22-metre RCC span on the Gorkha bank, while the 60-metre truss remains intact. The Department of Roads is examining the feasibility of installing a temporary Bailey bridge span.
Hydropower Site Damage: Verified Identity and Capacity
The damaged project is the 341 MW Budhi Gandaki Hydroelectric Project (PRoR), developed by Times Energy Pvt. Ltd. (subsidiary of Sahas Urja Ltd.). This private facility is entirely distinct from the national 1,200 MW Budhi Gandaki Storage Hydroelectric Project further downstream, which suffered no damage.
At the 341 MW project's headworks in Salleri (Chumnubri-3), floodwaters swept away the main construction camp, destroying nine residential blocks, six utility buildings, and heavy equipment. All 18 company personnel evacuated safely to high ground following local warnings.
Casualties, Missing Individuals, and Emergency Response
A Nepali Army helicopter crew successfully extracted six trapped citizens from a high ledge in Jagat. While zero fatalities have been officially confirmed as of 12:45 NPT, four herders remain unaccounted for after floodwaters swept away their shelter near the Ungilung river in Chumchet (Chumnubri-6). Search and rescue operations remain active.
Sources, Citations & Field Credits:
- Official Authorities: National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), Flood Forecasting Division (DHM), District Administration Office Gorkha, Department of Roads (DoR), Gandaki Provincial Health Ministry, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force.
- Local Government & Observers: Chumnubri Rural Municipality (Vice-Chair Laxmi Gurung), Dharche Rural Municipality, Sherap Gurung (Ward-6 resident).
- News Agencies & Media Outlets: Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), Onlinekhabar, The Kathmandu Post, and Routine of Nepal Banda (RONB Post).
- Photo Credits: Photojournalist Gurung Suna (Onlinekhabar) and Department of Roads / Nepal Police.
