SATV, Kathmandu,October 11- The Budhi Gandaki River flood has caused extensive damage to physical infrastructure, sweeping away bridges, houses and sheds in several areas.
The flood occurred early Sunday morning after a massive landslide between Lokpa and Chumling in Ward No. 6 of Chumanubri Rural Municipality in northern Gorkha blocked the Budhi Gandaki River.
The resulting floodwaters caused damage at multiple locations downstream.
The flood swept away an old suspension bridge connecting Nyakchet and Sirdibas in Ward No. 3 of Chumanubri Rural Municipality. It also swept away an unreinforced house belonging to Ram Bahadur Gurung, a resident of Sirdibas, while floodwater entered another house.
Similarly, a suspension bridge connecting Machhikhola in Ward No. 5 of Dharche Rural Municipality with Kerauja was swept away. Floodwaters entered the lower settlement of Machhikhola, affecting five to seven houses and five to seven sheds.
In Salleri, Ward No. 3 of Dharche Rural Municipality, around 20–22 houses are reportedly at risk. The flood also swept away a camp building belonging to the Budhi Gandaki Hydropower Project in Salleri. The settlement in that area had previously been relocated after the government provided compensation to residents.
The flood also swept away the iron-and-concrete bridge at Soti, which connects Wards No. 2 and 3 of Arughat Rural Municipality.
According to Dharmendra Shrestha, a local resident of Arughat, the flood also washed away part of a concrete bridge in Arughat. Local residents have moved to higher ground for safety.
Although no human casualties have been reported so far, reportedly due to advance warnings that prompted people to evacuate, the flood has caused substantial property damage, Shrestha said. Houses and sheds located along the riverbanks in Arughat have also been swept away.
The District Police Office in Gorkha said a detailed assessment of the damage was still pending. Police have been using public-address systems to warn residents along the riverbanks in Gorkha, Tanahun and Chitwan districts to remain alert.
Authorities have also received preliminary reports of damage to roads, project buildings and other infrastructure in downstream areas, including damage to several bridges.
The Flood Forecasting Division has urged people to stay away from the banks of the Budhi Gandaki River and the area extending towards the Trishuli confluence until the floodwaters subside. Residents have been advised to remain in safe, elevated locations.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has also urged authorities and local communities to immediately alert residents living along riverbanks in Gorkha, Tanahun, Chitwan, East Nawalparasi and West Nawalparasi districts and help evacuate people from vulnerable areas in a timely manner.
The full extent of the damage remains to be assessed, and authorities have urged residents in downstream areas to maintain heightened vigilance.
