Nepal Issues Evacuation Warning as Landslide-Triggered Flood Threatens Villages

Nepal Issues Evacuation Alert After Landslide Blocks River, Flood Sweeps Away Houses

Authorities in Nepal on Sunday appealed to residents living along riverbanks to move to safer locations after a massive flood swept away several houses and damaged key infrastructure in the central region. No casualties had been reported so far.

Officials said a dry landslide in Chumnubri village in Gorkha district, around 100 kilometres west of Kathmandu, blocked the Budhi Gandaki River, causing floodwaters to surge downstream and threaten nearby settlements.

The Budhi Gandaki is part of the Trishuli River system, which has witnessed a devastating disaster in recent months. In August, a catastrophic flood triggered by a glacier collapse in another tributary killed 1,457 people, while thousands remained missing.

Dharmendra Kumar Mishra, Gorkha district’s senior administrative official, said authorities had instructed people living along the riverbanks downstream to evacuate as a precaution.

The flooding has already caused considerable damage, sweeping away several houses and two suspension bridges. A hydroelectric project in the affected area has also suffered damage, according to officials.

Flood Warning Issued for Five Districts

Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has alerted residents living along the river in Gorkha, Tanahun, Chitwan, East Nawalparasi and West Nawalparasi districts.

The authority urged local officials to ensure that people in vulnerable areas were moved to safer locations without delay. It also called for assistance in search-and-rescue operations as the situation continued to be assessed.

The warning reflects concerns that communities situated downstream could face further risks following the river blockage and the resulting surge in water levels.

Army and Police Join Emergency Response

Nepalese army and police personnel have reached the affected region to support rescue efforts and monitor conditions on the ground. Officials are also using a helicopter to assess the situation and identify areas requiring urgent assistance.

Authorities are keeping a close watch on the flood’s impact while urging residents to follow evacuation instructions and avoid dangerous riverbank areas.

Although no deaths or injuries had been reported at the time of the announcement, the destruction of homes, bridges and hydroelectric infrastructure has raised concerns about the safety of communities downstream.

Officials continue to prioritise evacuations and emergency response measures to minimise the risk to residents as the situation develops.