Nepal orders evacuations after landslide triggers Budhi Gandaki flash flood

On 11 October, Nepal's officials issued evacuation orders along the Budhi Gandaki River following a sudden flood that destroyed homes and structures in the nation's mountainous north-central area. Residents hurriedly took to higher ground as the swollen river rushed through tight valleys. The Nepal Army shared aerial footage depicting floodwaters cascading between mountains and evacuees being safely moved.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority cautioned communities to stay vigilant until late Sunday. As of yet, no fatalities were reported, though several individuals were reported missing. Initial reports pointed to a landslide near Chumchure in Gorkha district partially obstructing the river, leading to the dam bursting.

This incident is particularly concerning as Nepal is still grappling with the aftermath of devastating floods along its border with China in August. Those floods resulted in over 1,400 deaths, left thousands missing, and affected nearly 33,000 people. An estimated 7,500 homes were damaged or destroyed, with repairs to this infrastructure estimated to cost $4.77 billion.

Authorities are currently concentrating on rebuilding roads and bridges damaged in the earlier disaster, particularly in remote regions where damaged transport infrastructure has complicated aid distribution efforts.