What Caused The Budhi Gandaki River Flood In Gorkha?
The Budhi Gandaki River in Gorkha was flooded due to a landslide that blocked the Syarl Khola, a tributary of the Budhi Gandaki River, which released the water in the form of a current following the obstruction. The flash flood hit northern Gorkha, submerging the riverside communities in a surge of water and debris.
According to the initial reports by local authorities and police, the landslide took place at the higher reaches of the Chumnubri Rural Municipality, in the Lokpa and Chumling area. Other reports point to a possible blockage near Ungilung Kholain Chumchet. The exact location and sequence of events were still being assessed.
Here’s how that can happen. When a landslide dumps earth, rocks, and debris into a narrow mountain stream, it can form a temporary natural dam. Water continues collecting behind the blockage, building up pressure. If the barrier suddenly gives way, the trapped water rushes downstream in a flash flood, often carrying mud, boulders, fallen trees, and other debris along with it.
That appears to be what happened along the Budhi Gandaki River. Residents reported hearing loud sounds from the river and noticing sudden changes in water levels from around 4 am. The flood then swept through several settlements, destroying houses and bridges and damaging a hydropower project under construction.
Which Areas In Gorkha Have Been Affected By The Flood?
The Budhi Gandaki flood has affected several settlements across Chumnubri and Dharche rural municipalities. According to preliminary reports from local officials, more than 35 houses have been swept away across northern Gorkha, including in Paiyu, Bagar, Salleri, and Ghattikhola. Dobhan and Jagat have also reported damage, while parts of the Chumnubri-3 market area were badly affected.
The damage goes well beyond residential areas. The settlements in northern Gorkha, including Salleri, Bagar, Paiyu, and Ghattikhola, are among the hardest-hit areas. Jagat and Sirdibas are important settlements along the Budhi Gandaki corridor, including the route used by trekkers heading towards the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Floodwaters swept away houses in the area, while the suspension bridge connecting Nagchet and Sirdibas was destroyed.
The flood also damaged settlements in the Dharche Rural Municipality. A suspension bridge connecting Machhakhola and Kerauja was swept away, and preliminary reports indicate that floodwater entered several houses and temporary structures in the lower settlement. Around 20 to 22 houses in the Salleri area of Dharche-3 were also reported to be at risk.
The impact extends downstream towards Soti Khola and Arughat, where key river crossings have been destroyed. The motorable bridge at Soti, linking Wards 2 and 3 of Arughat Rural Municipality, was swept away, cutting off an important local connection.
Authorities also warned residents in downstream settlements, including Soti, Arkhet, and Arughat, to move to safer places because the flood could continue to pose a threat along the Budhi Gandaki River.
How Many People Are Missing, Injured, Or Displaced?
The number of victims of the Budhi Gandaki flood in Gorkha is yet to be determined as the rescue teams and the authorities are still trying to assess the damage. According to the news outlet, 4 people were reported missing after the flash flood hit the northern part of Gorkha on the morning of 11 October 2026, and there were no deaths or injuries reported.
The Kathmandu Post reports that the 4 missing people were residing in a shed on the banks of the Ungilung River in Chumchet, Chumnubri Rural Municipality-6. The villagers searched for them after the flood, but their shed was not found.
Meanwhile, the residents of the affected settlements have been evacuated as the floodwaters surged through the area, submerging houses, cattle sheds, and bridges. Army and police personnel have been deployed to assist with the rescue operations, while the authorities have urged the people in the vulnerable riverside settlements to move to safer places.
For foreign visitors and those trekking the Manaslu Circuit, the situation is particularly worrying, as the trekking trails may be impacted by damaged bridges, with limited access to safe shelter or transport. Anyone who is currently on the route should follow the instructions of their guide, avoid crossing rivers that have been swollen by the floods, and contact the local authorities or their trekking agency for assistance.
Is It Safe To Travel To Gorkha After The Flood?
It is not advisable to make any travel in the affected areas of Gorkha before the authorities declare it safe. The rivers are unstable, and the trails are inaccessible, so it is not a good time to risk your holiday. Alternative you might choose another trek like Everest Base Camp include any region of the Everest, and Annapurna Base Camp include Mardi Himal, Poon Hill, Khayer Lake etc.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority and the local authorities have asked people living on the banks of the Budhi Gandaki River to relocate to safer grounds while they wait for the situation to calm down. Police and the army have been deployed to help with the search and rescue operations, and helicopters have been used to assess the situation and the damage in the area.
The main concern is that the damage will not be limited to just a few villages. If you are planning on going to Gorkha in the next few days, here are some safety measures that you might want to consider.
- Do not travel in the rivers for now.
- Check on the roads and the bridges in the places you plan on going. The roads may have been damaged during the flood, and just because it looked safe before the flood does not mean it will still be safe after the flood.
- Listen to any evacuation orders and follow them.
- If they tell people to evacuate around the river, you should not stick around waiting for the water to go down. Stay away from the river banks and the crossings.
- Just because the water has gone down does not mean that it will not suddenly rise again. Besides, there is a good chance that several bridges and trails have been damaged and are not safe to use.
The thing you need to remember is that this emergency is localised to the Budhi Gandaki River Corridor in Gorkha, so it does not mean that all of Nepal's popular tourist destinations are unsafe. It is always wise to check conditions and restrictions for the areas you are planning to visit and the route you will take to get there.
If you are considering visiting the Manaslu region, you will want to be especially careful if you are planning on hiking the Manaslu Circuit trail. This trekking route follows the Budhi Gandaki through several villages that were impacted by the flood. Even if the bridge was not damaged, because it has been so badly impacted, it could still be unsafe, and it is likely to impact other areas beyond the village where the accident occurred.
If you are already in the Gorkha area, you should follow the advice of local authorities and avoid the river. If you are on foot or on horseback, you should not attempt to cross the bridges or trails which have been damaged or are completely destroyed.
Is The Manaslu Circuit Trek Affected By The Budhi Gandaki Flood?
Yes, the Budhi Gandaki flood has affected the Manaslu Circuit Trek, and you should delay your arrival there until the local authorities clear it. The problem is not only the village damage but also the crossings, as the trail uses bridges over the river to access the villages. Several crossings may be blocked by the flood, and it will not be possible to reach the trail from the next village if the bridge is not there.
FAQs
When did the Budhi Gandaki flood in Gorkha occur?
The Budhi Gandaki River caught flood in the northern region of Gorkha early on 11 October 2026 after a possible landslide, temporarily blocking the river and causing a sudden rise in water levels downstream.
What caused the Budhi Gandaki River flood?
The flood is thought to have happened when a landslide blocked Syarl Khola, a tributary of the Budhi Gandaki River. The dam, which was temporary, burst, causing a torrent of water to rush downstream.
Which areas in Gorkha were affected by the flood?
There is a list of hamlets and villages in northern Gorkha that were affected by the flood, including Salleri, Bagar, Paiyu, Ghattikhola, Jagat, as well as Soti Khola and Arughat. The damage has been various for different places on the list and is yet to be revealed.
How many houses were destroyed in the Gorkha flood?
The houses destroyed by the flood have been reported to be more than 35 in number from many of the places listed above. The damage assessment is yet to be revealed for the final report.
Were any people reported missing in the Budhi Gandaki flood?
On 11 October 2026, four people were initially reported missing in the mountain village of Chumchet, after the flood. The report should be verified and compared with the latest available data.
Were bridges damaged by the Budhi Gandaki flood?
Yes. The flood swept away the motorable bridge connecting Manbu and Soti, a concrete bridge at Soti linking two wards of Aarughat Rural Municipality, and a suspension bridge connecting Nagchet and Sirdibas with Machhakhola and Kerauja.
Is it safe to trek the Manaslu Circuit after the flood?
The affected trail should not be used until the local authorities assess the situation and declare it as safe for exploration. Avoid the damaged bridges, flooded trails, and unverified detours. Alternative you can trek like Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lake, Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal or Poon Hill.
Can I travel to Soti Khola or Machha Khola after the flood?
Normally you’re not, your journey may be disrupted due to the damage caused to bridges and trails, and poor accessibility. Kindly check the latest transport and access information before heading to either of the destinations.
