Flash flood sweeps away homes and bridges in Nepal’s Gorkha

A flash flood swept through the Budhi Gandaki corridor in Nepal’s Gorkha district on October 11, washing away homes and bridges and damaging hydropower infrastructure as authorities mounted rescue and evacuation efforts. The full extent of the damage was still being assessed. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said at least 82 people had been rescued. Its chief, Dharam Raj Uprety, said four helicopters were used in search and rescue operations. Officials also mobilized security personnel and warned people living near the river to move to safer ground. The authority’s chief said five people were unaccounted for and identified them as residents of Chumchet. Other reports citing Nepali authorities put the number missing at at least 10. The reports did not clarify whether the figures referred to the same group or reporting time, and no reconciled count was available in the latest updates. The flood swept away homes and bridges and damaged hydropower infrastructure.