Gorkha district officials have called on villagers living along the Budhi Gandaki River to evacuate immediately after a dry landslide in Chumnubri village blocked the waterway, causing a sudden flood that swept away houses, two suspension bridges and damaged a hydroelectric project.

What happened

The landslide, which occurred about 100 km (62 miles) west of Kathmandu, created a natural dam that forced water to rise and burst downstream. The Budhi Gandaki River is a tributary of the Trishuli River, the same system that experienced a catastrophic glacier‑collapse flood in August, which claimed 1,457 lives and left thousands missing.

Official response

Dharmendra Kumar Mishra, the senior bureaucrat overseeing Gorkha district, said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has issued an alert for residents in Gorkha, Tanahun, Chitwan, East Nawalparasi and West Nawalparasi districts. “We have asked villagers living along the river banks downstream to evacuate and remain safe,” Mishra told reporters.

The authority posted a message on social media urging communities to move to safe locations and to assist any needed search‑and‑rescue operations. Army and police rescue teams have already been deployed to the affected area, and a helicopter is monitoring the situation from the air.

Impact on infrastructure

Preliminary reports indicate that several homes were swept away and two suspension bridges were destroyed, cutting off critical transport routes. A nearby hydroelectric project also suffered damage, though officials have not yet detailed the extent of the loss.

Safety advice for residents

Local officials stress the importance of following evacuation orders promptly. Residents are advised to gather essential supplies, stay informed through official channels, and avoid attempting to cross damaged bridges or flood‑affected roads.

While there have been no confirmed casualties so far, authorities continue to monitor river levels and are prepared to expand rescue efforts if the situation worsens.

Looking ahead

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority plans to assess the landslide’s impact on the river’s flow and to coordinate repairs to the damaged infrastructure. Community leaders are urged to support displaced families and to help restore normalcy once the floodwaters recede.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.