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Flash floods in Nepal's Gorkha district have stranded more than 100 foreign trekkers and swept away homes and bridges. Rescue operations are underway, with authorities reporting five missing villagers.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
More than 100 foreign trekkers are stranded in central Nepal following flash floods that swept away bridges, hiking trails, and hundreds of homes in the Gorkha district. The floods occurred on Sunday after a predawn landslide blocked the Budhi Gandaki River, approximately 100km (62 miles) west of the capital, Kathmandu.
Bhuwan Raj Ojha, an official of the Manaslu Conservation Area Project, stated that the trekkers were stranded in various areas of the popular Manaslu trekking trail because parts of the route had been washed away. "Those hikers who want to return because of the flood need to be rescued. Those who want to continue their trekking can do so from locations that are safe," Ojha told Reuters. He added, "There are restaurants and tea houses along the route. They are safe".
Authorities rescued 321 people, including 12 foreigners, on Monday. The army announced that rescue operations would continue on Tuesday as water levels in the river receded. Md Shahadat Hossain, a Bangladeshi trekker stranded in Jagat village, reported that nine Bangladeshis were waiting for possible helicopter evacuation. "We have been stranded in Jagat since yesterday. A flash flood came down from above the village and flowed through its lower part," Hossain said. He noted that while they were safe, "there has been no electricity since yesterday, communication with the outside world has been disrupted, and food supplies are gradually running short".
National disaster authorities reported that five villagers were out of contact after black muddy sludge and debris washed away more than 200 homes. The flood also damaged infrastructure, including three hydroelectric plants. BBC News reported that the five missing individuals are believed to be herders, according to a local official. The BBC also noted that authorities had rescued 95 people, including nine foreigners, and that more than 650 people had been impacted by the flood.
Gorkha district authorities have ordered villagers living along the riverbanks downstream to evacuate. National disaster authorities issued alerts to residents in the Gorkha, Tanahun, Chitwan, East Nawalparasi, and West Nawalparasi districts. One official told the BBC that residents who fled their homes are afraid to return, stating that people "can't sleep at home with peace of mind".
The Budhi Gandaki River is a tributary of the Trishuli River, downstream from another tributary where a glacier collapse caused a catastrophic flood in August that killed 1,457 people, with thousands still missing. Nepal is prone to floods and avalanches due to the unpredictable environment of the Himalayas. Experts have stated that climate change is likely to increase the risk of such disasters. This incident follows recent devastating floods in villages along the border with Tibet, highlighting the ongoing vulnerability of the region to extreme weather events.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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