More than 100 foreign trekkers stranded in flood-hit region of Nepal, says official

KATHMANDU: Over a hundred foreign trekkers remain stranded across Nepal after flooding of a river triggered by a recent glacier collapse cut hiking trails and bridges, according to an official report on Monday. The Budhi Gandaki River, a tributary of the Trishuli River, experienced significant flooding in central Nepal this weekend, washing away hiking paths and infrastructure, an official said.

Rescue efforts have rescued 96 people, including nine foreigners, but no fatalities have been reported. The latest rescue operation is ongoing as the floodwater has receded. Bhuwan Raj Ojha, an official from the Manaslu Conservation Area Project, which includes a popular trekking route, informed Reuters that there are more than 100 foreign trekkers stranded in various locations who cannot return to their homes due to the washed-out trail.

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) noted that the recent flood might have been caused by a temporary river blockage collapse due to a landslide. This incident highlights the vulnerability of mountain communities and river corridors to sudden and cascading hazards.