Several missing following flash flood in Nepal

A catastrophic flash flood struck central Nepal on Sunday, destroying homes and infrastructure along the Budhi Gandaki River. The disaster left at least five people missing and claimed damage to numerous buildings and vital facilities.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) reported that the overwhelming flood was triggered by a landslide upstream, causing the water level to surge suddenly. Police spokesperson Abi Narayan Kafle confirmed that 437 security personnel were deployed for search and rescue efforts.

Authorities issued flood alerts shortly after receiving reports of the rising waters at 6 am local time (0015 GMT). Rescue operations were successful in retrieving 47 people stranded across various locations, carried out using four Nepal Army helicopters. Additionally, hundreds of residents in downstream areas were evacuated to safer ground.

The extent of the destruction was significant, with at least four bridges, two telecommunications towers, and 50 electricity poles damaged or destroyed. Hydropower equipment was also impacted by the torrential flood.

Nepal experienced a similar tragedy in late August when floods in the region claimed around 1,450 lives and left more than 4,500 people missing.