Nepal Flood: Budhi Gandaki River Sweeps Away Houses in Gorkha, Evacuation Alert Issued (Video)

A sudden flash flood in Nepal’s Budhi Gandaki River swept away dozens of houses in Gorkha district on Sunday, October 11, prompting authorities to issue evacuation warnings for settlements along the river. The flooding followed a suspected landslide that may have temporarily blocked the river’s flow before the water surged downstream. No deaths had been officially reported in initial statements, although subsequent local reports indicated that four people were missing.

The flood struck northern Gorkha early on Sunday morning, forcing residents to leave their homes and move to higher ground. Authorities warned people living along the Budhi Gandaki River to stay away from riverbanks as officials assessed the damage and monitored the risk of further flooding.

Landslide Triggers Flash Flood in Gorkha

Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority tweets, "A large flood is coming from Chumanuwmi Rural Municipality-6 of the Budhi Gandaki River, so until the flood passes, do not go near the river up to Trishuli Dobhan. Stay in high places."

(Source: Nepal Army)

— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2026

MORE FOOTAGE OF THE debris-laden flood has surged through the Budhi Gandaki River at Salleri in Gorkha, carrying mud, sediment and rocks downstream. The sudden flood has affected parts of the Manaslu region, Nepal, while authorities continue assessing the situation and possible damage.

— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) October 11, 2026

Nepal Flood: More Than 35 Houses Swept Away

The flooding affected several settlements in Chumnubri Rural Municipality, including Paiyu, Bagar, Jagat, Salleri and Ghattekhola. According to reports from local media and officials, more than 35 houses were swept away in different locations. Flood Sweeps Several Houses in Nepal's Gorkha, Warning Issued Along Budhi Gandaki River Settlements.

Initial reports from Gorkha Chief District Officer Dharmendra Kumar Mishra indicated that five to seven houses in the riverbed at Jagat had been washed away. Later reports suggested that the destruction was more extensive than initially estimated. The flood also damaged bridges and infrastructure, including a hydropower project under construction. Authorities were gathering information to establish the full extent of the damage.

Landslide Suspected as Cause of Budhi Gandaki Flood

Officials suspect that a landslide in the upper reaches of the river system blocked the flow of water, creating a temporary natural dam that later gave way. The water level reportedly began rising sharply at around 4 am local time. Residents also reported unusually loud sounds from the river as the water surged downstream.

Narayan Sapkota, chief administrative officer of Chumnubri Rural Municipality, told ANI that the Ugylung and Syar streams had also swollen. Officials suspected that a landslide-related blockage near Chekampar may have breached, sending a sudden surge of water downstream. The precise sequence of events and the full impact of the landslide were still being assessed. Nepal Flash Floods Death Toll Rises to 579 with Over 1,900 Missing.

Evacuation Warnings Issued Along River

Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) issued an early-morning alert warning of a large flood moving downstream from Chumnubri Rural Municipality-6. Residents and travellers were advised to avoid the river and move to higher ground until the flood passed. Police and local authorities used loudspeakers and safety advisories to alert communities in vulnerable areas. Warnings were also extended to downstream settlements, including areas in Gorkha and other districts potentially exposed to flooding along the river system.

Four People Reported Missing as Rescue Efforts Continue

While initial official statements reported no casualties, a later report by The Kathmandu Post said four people living in a shed near the Ungilung River in Chumchet had gone missing following the flooding. Local residents were reportedly searching for them. The situation remained under assessment as authorities worked to determine the number of people affected and the extent of the destruction. The incident highlights the dangers posed by sudden river surges in Nepal’s mountainous terrain, where landslides can obstruct waterways and trigger destructive flash floods downstream.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 11, 2026 10:41 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).