Gorkha flash flood: Five missing, 47 evacuated as river surges in Nepal

According to local media reports, the incident occurred between Lokpa and Chumling in Chumnubri Rural Municipality-6.

The missing persons—two women and three men—were staying at a sheepfold in Ungiling, Chumchet, within the same rural municipality, The Himalayan Times reported.

Meanwhile, the Nepali Army evacuated 47 people from the affected areas to safety.

A total of 437 security personnel have been mobilised for rescue and relief operations, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) told the newspaper. The deployment includes 127 Nepal Army personnel, including members of three Special Forces units, 133 Nepal Police personnel and 177 personnel from the Armed Police Force.

The latest flooding occurred in Chumnubri after the water level in the Budhi Gandaki River rose sharply, sending thick mud and debris downstream.

Videos circulating on social media showed the river turning dark grey and black as muddy floodwaters surged through the area.

According to the NDRRMA, the river’s water level rose from 3.66 metres at 6:30 am to 8.43 metres at 8:40 am, significantly exceeding the danger mark of five metres. The agency also reported that the water level increased by more than two metres in just 10 minutes between 8:30 am and 8:40 am.

The agency said the flooding was not caused by rainfall. Preliminary information and satellite imagery suggested that the river may have been temporarily blocked before the blockage gave way, triggering a sudden surge of water downstream.

A detailed technical investigation into the cause of the disaster is underway.

No casualties had been reported at the time of the initial assessment, although five people remained missing.

Nepal Still Reeling From Deadly August Floods

The latest disaster comes as Nepal continues to recover from devastating flash floods in August near the Nepal-Tibet border.

The earlier disaster sent torrents of water down the Bhotekoshi River, sweeping away houses, vehicles, roads and bridges and damaging hydropower infrastructure.

According to figures cited in the report, at least 1,453 people were killed and more than 5,000 were reported missing in the earlier disaster.

The August floods underscored the vulnerability of Himalayan communities to sudden flooding, landslides and other natural hazards.