On Sunday morning, a sudden severe flood struck the Chumnubri rural municipality of Gorkha district in Nepal. The flood in the Budhigandaki River was triggered by a landslide that blocked the Chumke Khola.
The floodwaters swept away 35 houses in the villages of Paiyu and Bagar. Along with the homes, multiple suspension and motor bridges that connected various areas were destroyed. The destruction extended to nearby settlements including Dobhan, Ghattekhola, Jagat, and Salleri, where riverside properties were also damaged.
Flash flooding in Nepal has swept away buildings along the Budhi Gandaki river on Sunday. Terrified onlookers in Gorkha district filmed from higher ground, after a landslide triggered downstream flooding that also swept away a bridge and homes. https://t.co/6rWzRbFxTA
Chief District Officer Dharendra Kumar Mishra and rural municipality chairman Nima Lama verified the incident and immediately initiated safety measures. The Flood Forecasting Division and the National Disaster Management Authority issued alerts, urging residents in low‑lying and riverside areas to relocate to higher ground.
Officials suspect that the landslide blocked the river’s flow, creating a temporary dam.
In response to the disaster, the local administration, the Nepalese Army, and the National Disaster Management Authority began rescue preparations. Helicopters were deployed, relief supplies were distributed, and security forces launched rescue operations. Home Minister Sudan Gurung appealed to the public to move to safer locations and activated the health‑assistance helpline number 1115.
Terrifying scenes in Nepal as flash floods strike once again https://t.co/qSFBdBCoqd
Rescue operations continued with the aim of reaching those stranded by the flood. Relief distributions were organised to provide essential items to affected families. No casualties have been reported so far; officials have noted that four people are missing.
Officials suspect that the landslide blocked the river’s flow, creating a temporary dam. When the trapped water was suddenly released, it produced the flash flood that devastated the downstream communities. Preliminary reports also indicate that a landslide may have occurred in the upper area of Siyuribas, contributing to the blockage.
Nepal urges villagers to evacuate after flood triggered by landslide https://t.co/tfv8BBefe2 https://t.co/tfv8BBefe2
Nima Lama explained that the river flow was stopped due to a landslide in Chumke Khola located in the village municipality. Lakshmi Gurung, speaking in Kannada, noted that the Budhi Gandaki flood reminded her of the earlier Bhotekoshi flood, highlighting the scale of the debris carried by the water.
On 26 August 2025, a devastating flood occurred in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa district. Later, on 11 October 2026, heavy floods hit the Gorkha region, and a flash flood swept away homes and bridges in the same district. Another severe flood in the Budhigandaki River on 15 October 2026 caused further damage to houses and bridges.
The flood resulted in the loss of 35 houses and bridges. Four individuals are reported missing from this incident. The health‑assistance helpline activated for the disaster bears the number 1115. The brief additionally cites larger‑scale figures from other regions: 6,000 individuals reported missing in Nepal, 1,455 people killed in Rasuwa and Trishuli river floods, and 5,285 people missing in those same river systems.
Rescue and relief teams remain active in the affected areas, working to restore connectivity and provide shelter to those who lost their homes. Authorities continue to monitor river levels and warn residents to stay away from vulnerable zones until the situation stabilizes.